The urethro-prostatic angle as a practical sonographic index for estimating prostatic size in dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Canine Urology

Background:

• Prostatomegaly is common in adult dogs, often assessed via abdominal ultrasonography.
• Current volume-based formulas face challenges due to dog size variability and gland positioning.
• Objective assessment of canine prostate enlargement remains difficult for operators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of the urethro-prostatic angle (UPa) as a novel parameter for estimating canine prostate volume.
• To determine if UPa measurement is less operator-dependent than traditional methods.
• To establish a practical and repeatable method for diagnosing prostatomegaly in dogs.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-three intact adult dogs were enrolled in the study.
• Prostatic volume was calculated using established Ruel et al. equations based on gland dimensions.
• The urethro-prostatic angle (UPa) was measured using B-mode ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• The UPa significantly correlated with prostate volume (p < 0.001).
• A UPa cutoff of 96.52° distinguished normal from enlarged prostates with 100% sensitivity and 71.7% specificity.
• Inter-operator variability for UPa measurement was not statistically significant (p = 0.2).

Conclusions:

• The urethro-prostatic angle (UPa) offers a repeatable and practical approach to estimating canine prostate volume.
• UPa measurement is independent of dog size, prostate position, and operator skill.
• UPa is a promising parameter for reliable diagnosis of canine prostatomegaly.