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Recurrent upper tract urothelial tumours: the use of loopography following cystectomy for bladder cancer

¹ Department of Urology, The Middlesex Hospital, London W1 N 8AA, UK ² Department of Radiology, The Middlesex Hospital, London W1 N 8AA, UK

Recurrent upper tract tumours following cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma are not uncommon. Conventional follow-up to identify preclinical recurrent disease often involves a combination of excretory urography and urine cytology. This study investigates the possible advantages of loopography in the follow-up of these patients. 41 patients who had undergone cystectomy and ileal loop diversion for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were studied. At the time of evaluation with a loopogram, eight out of 41 (19.5%) were symptomatic. Loopography was well tolerated by all of the patients with no reported side-effects or complications from the procedure. Six out of 41 (14.6%) of the loopograms demonstrated an abnormality with recurrent transitional cell carcinoma identified in two patients. In only one case was excretory urography necessary where a ureteric stricture prevented retrograde imaging of the upper tract. Loopography is a safe and well-tolerated investigation for the follow-up of these patients. Excretory urography should be reserved for cases where upper tract imaging is impaired because of obstruction within the loop or ureters.

Received for publication January 17, 1994. Revision received May 13, 1994. Accepted for publication June 1, 1994.