Cystic lesions of the prostate

As the use of ultrasound (US) for evaluating the prostate gland has grown, so has the variety of cystic prostatic lesions that can be identified with US. We review many of these cystic lesions seen in our department over the past several years. Lesions discussed include müllerian duct cyst, prostatic utricle cyst, ejaculatory duct cyst, cystic degeneration in benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic retention cyst, cavitary prostatitis, and prostatic abscess. The defect from transurethral resection of the prostate gland, which may have a sonographic appearance similar to that of a cystic prostatic mass, is also discussed. A diagnostic algorithm based on a combination of sonographic findings and the results of transperineal needle aspiration is presented.