[Ultrasonographic changes in prostatic tissue after thermotherapy]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Imaging
• Therapeutic Technologies

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly impact quality of life.
• Transurethral therapies are common BPH treatments, but novel approaches are continually explored.
• Thermotherapy offers a minimally invasive option for managing prostate conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the peroperative and postoperative effects of transrectal thermotherapy.
• To assess the impact of transurethral thermotherapy on prostate tissue and urinary function.
• To determine the efficacy of this thermotherapy in improving patient-reported outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Transrectal ultrasonography was used to monitor changes in 13 patients undergoing thermotherapy.
• A transurethral cooled catheter delivered 50°C heat for 60 minutes.
• Uroflowmetry and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were used for functional assessment.

Main Results:

• Transrectal ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic border around the urethra, forming a canal of varying width.
• No significant changes in prostate blood supply were detected via ultrasound.
• Patients demonstrated improved uroflowmetric findings and reduced IPSS scores post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Transrectal thermotherapy is a potentially effective treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms.
• The observed ultrasound changes correlate with functional improvements in urinary flow and symptom scores.
• Further research into prostate thermotherapy mechanisms and long-term outcomes is warranted.