Ultrasonic evaluation of the prostatic nodule

Prostatic nodules detected on rectal examination of 50 patients were evaluated by the usual means and by prostatic ultrasonic scanning. Nodules were characterized as being either malignant, benign, inflammatory or stones. Those patients without evidence of calcification on radiography underwent prostatic biopsy and the histological findings were compared to the ultrasonic study. All histologically confirmed malignancies were diagnosed preoperatively and there were no instances of falsely negative ultrasonic studies.