In addition to rectal palpation, rectosonography seems to be a promising method in pretherapeutic examination of the parametrium in patients with cervical carcinoma. To evaluate the usefulness of this examination we determined the sensitivity and specificity of rectal palpation performed by one examinator, rectal palpation performed by changing examiners, and rectal sonography. The results of the clinical examination of 128 parametria (64 women) were compared to histological findings following Wertheim-Meigs operation. Sensitivity and specificity were as follows one examiner 48% and 96%, changing examiners 44% and 94%, rectosonography 55% and 99%. In conclusion, we suggest that rectal sonography is a careful and moderate method that can be an important supplement to rectal palpation in pretherapeutic staging of cervical cancer.