Significance of computed tomography in urology

There are more than five years since computed tomography (CT) was first introduced in this country for practical use. However, cumulative diagnostic experiences in urology have not been discussed thoroughly yet. In the Department of Urology of Kansai Medical University over 120 times CT diagnosis were attempted past three years and the instrument employed during this period has been alternative from the first generation type (ACTA 150) to the third one (CT-3W) this year as to technical advance. These cases are 70 of pelvic lesions and retroperitoneal surveys are made in the rests. As a results, detection of space occupying mass in kidney, adrenal and their surroundings was comparatively easy to deliver by this method, but there are several pitfalls to come misunderstanding in diagnosis of pelvic organs. It seems to be difficult to obtain certain result on closely packed viscera with tightly adhered connective tissue in tiny space. However, these difficulties will be solved by bladder insufflation with olive oil, for instance, and scanning in prone position. Contrast enhancement by injection of dye also give more definite results in genitourinary tract assessment. Moreover, there are much benefit in diagnosis of renal parenchymal change including lacerating renal trauma unable to be differentiated conventional method. Bolus injection of contrast material also allows to calculate CT values obtained from ROI on tomography and enables to fit the value to time-activity curve likewise scintillation scanning. In forthcomming day, new device in this field including emission-CT, NMR-CT and others will open new sight for ideal diagnostic facility in urology. (author)