Ultrasound anatomy for prostate brachytherapy

Even for surgeons experienced in prostate anatomy, the manipulation of perineally-placed needles into the prostate under the guidance of an ultrasound probe in the rectum can be disorienting. For those embarking on ultrasound-guided brachytherapy for prostate cancer, there can be no substitute for experience gained performing transrectal ultrasound examinations. A review of the anatomy of the region is presented, together with images showing how that anatomy appears sonographically. Some of the concepts involved in the role of prostate planimetry for dosimetry planning will be touched upon.