Transitional zone index and intravesical prostatic protrusion in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients: correlations...

The aim of this research was to assess the value of the transitional zone index (TZI) and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) from transrectal ultrasonography in evaluating the severity and progression of disease by analyzing the relationship between the 2 parameters and symptoms, clinical history, and urodynamics in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients undergoing different treatment.

A total of 203 patients receiving medication and 162 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate because of BPH were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The clinical history and subjective and objective examination results of all patients were recorded and compared after being classified by TZI and IPP level. Linear regression was used to find correlations between IPP, TZI, and urodynamics.

The 2 parameters were found to differ significantly between patients receiving medication and patients undergoing surgical therapy (p<0.05). PSA, maximum flow rate (Qmax), detrusor pressure at Qmax (PdetQmax), and the bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) differed according to various TZI levels (p<0.05). In addition, the voiding symptom score, Qmax, and BOOI of subgroups with various IPP levels were also significantly different (p<0.05). Both TZI and IPP had significant effects on Qmax, BOOI, and PdetQmax (p<0.05) and the incidence of acute urinary retention (p=0.000).

The results demonstrated that both TZI and IPP had favorable value for assessing severity and progression in patients with BPH. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the two parameters have predictive value in the efficacy of BPH treatment and could be considered as factors in the selection of therapy.