Pelvic CT findings after radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Objective and methods: To evaluate the spectrum of pelvic CT findings in patients who have had radical prostatectomy, we retrospectively evaluated the pelvic CT of 17 patients after surgery for prostate cancer. All patients were thought to be clinically free of local recurrence of carcinoma.

Results: The bladder base was retropubic in 100%, the levator sling was well delineated in its entirety in only 88%, and fat was clearly demonstrated between the rectum and bladder base in only 44%. Unsuspected findings in this group included soft tissue density structures in the resected bed of the seminal vesicles (88%) and a transversely oriented, soft tissue density bar between the bladder base and rectum (53%). A variety of symmetric abnormalities are commonly seen on postprostatectomy pelvic CT.

Conclusion: Seminal vesical-like soft tissue structures are routinely visualized, and a horizontal bar of soft tissue in the rectovesical space is commonly demonstrated. These structures should not be confused with local tumor recurrence.