Water ballon-aided ultrasonography—Application in the diagnosis of rectal cancer

Abstract

Application of conventional ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rectal cancer is in itself very difficult. The authors have designed a new device called “Water Ballon-Aided Ultrasonography”. With the aid of the echofree zone and “acoustic window” effect formed by the water ballon, complete knowledge of the location, size and extension of the rectal cancer can be acquired, and the distance of the tumor from the the lower margin of the anus and the possibility of any infiltration to the adjacent organs can be detected, thereby enabling the surgeon to estimate the resectability of the tumor accurately and select suitable surgical approach. In this respect the water ballon-aided ultrasonography is much superior to other conventional examinations.

Keywords

rectal cancer / water ballon-aided ultrasonography

References

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