Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate: the early Singapore experience

During a four-month-period 40 patients presenting to the Department of Urology with mainly retention of urine had their prostates scanned ultrasonically. Eight nodules were detected on the ultrasound of which five were not detected on digital rectal examination. Of the five non-palpable nodules two were diagnosed on ultrasound guided transperineal Tru-cut biopsy to be carcinomas. Of the three nodules detected both on ultrasound and digital rectal examination, two were proven to be carcinomas while the other was benign. The transrectal ultrasound was not only found to be easy to use but was also found to be a useful complement to the urologist's index finger with the added advantage of obtaining good quality biopsy material from suspicious lesions.