[Initial experience with ultrasonic examination of the rectum]

The authors report their initial results obtained by the use of transrectal sonography in examination of known or suspected rectal and perirectal masses. 42 patients were examined with commercially available endosonographic probes. 22 patients had known rectal cancer. 13 patients underwent surgical exploration. Malignant infiltration of perirectal fat were detected as accurately with US as with histology in 9 cases. Lymph node involvement was accurately identified in 11 cases. They recommend this new technique for the assessment of invasion of rectal tumours and lymph node involvement, for postoperative follow-up and for examination of benign diseases of the rectum.