[Imaging of the prostate: traditional methods].

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Transrectal prostatic ultrasonography (TRUS) is a cost-effective, non-invasive method for assessing prostate and seminal vesicle characteristics.
• Prostatic tumors can appear as hypoechoic or isoechoic nodules, with isoechoic lesions posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of TRUS in characterizing prostate dimensions and echostructure.
• To explore advanced imaging techniques for improved identification and characterization of focal prostate lesions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized transrectal prostatic ultrasonography for dimensional and echostructural evaluation.
• Employed specific techniques, including contrast-enhanced color-power Doppler, to identify and characterize focal lesions.
• Assessed the role of color and power Doppler in improving the predictive value of TRUS.

Main Results:

• TRUS provides accurate evaluation of prostate and seminal vesicle dimensions and echostructure.
• Hypoechoic nodules are common (60-80%), while isoechoic nodules (30%) require advanced techniques.
• Color Doppler enhances TRUS predictive value (62-75%) but has low sensitivity; power Doppler visualizes slow blood flow.

Conclusions:

• Advanced Doppler techniques, particularly with contrast enhancement, can improve sensitivity and specificity for detecting prostate lesions.
• While contrast-enhanced Doppler shows promise, its cost, invasiveness, and time requirements are limitations.
• Increased sensitivity in lesion detection raises challenges in identifying clinically insignificant small prostatic lesions.