The reliability of transabdominal ultrasound scanning in the determination of prostatic volume. An autopsy study

The prostatic volume as determined by transabdominal ultrasound scanning using the ellipsoid method was compared to the prostatic volume determined by autopsy in 26 post-mortem men. The regression line was nearly optimal (Y = 1.06 chi + 0.57) although it seems that ultrasound underestimates prostatic volume slightly. The parametrical correlation coefficient was 0.86 and the non-parametrical Spearmans rho was 0.76. It is concluded that transabdominal ultrasound scanning has a definite value in the assessment of prostatic size.