[Initial results of echographic staging in cervical cancer]

Twenty women with invasive carcinoma of the cervix were investigated by means of rectal sonography. A radical Wertheim's operation was performed in all cases. Ultrasound investigation was more accurate than rectovaginal palpation. Comparison between ultrasound or rectovaginal palpation with the pathohistological findings confirm that ultrasound is factual while palpation still includes bias. However, it is not yet possible to differentiate between inflammatory and carcinomatous infiltration of the parametria. The size of carcinomas restricted to the cervix can be estimated by means of ultrasound.