Introduction and Objectives
We want evaluate the advantages of using the new transrectal transducer with 10 Mhz frequency, 3D reconstruction, biplane simultaneously and with option for end fire punction in exploration of the prostate.
Material and Methods
Between December 2008 and May 2009, 201 patients diagnosed with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or with suspicion of prostate cancer (PC) [based of PSA levels and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE)] were investigated using transrectal ultrasound examination, using a biplane transducer with 3D reconstruction, type B&K 8818. At patients with PC suspicion, we performed 6–10 prostate punctions.
Results
We examined 113 patients with BPH and 88 patients with suspicion of PC (which was confirmed in 21 cases). The 3D reconstruction (along with the PSA values) allowed the decrease of the number of patients who needed prostate biopsy, (there weren’t “suspect images” for PC at these patients). The prostate images have a very good quality, in both plans (sagital and transversal), the scanning under an angle of 180 with a high frequency, allowing a very good exposure of the peripheral zone.
Conclusions
This type of transducer has many advantages:very clear images, which corroborated with the PSA exam can decrease the number of patients with “inutile” punctions; Doppler mode for all the plans and 3D reconstruction; simultane images at prostate explorations (transversal and sagital plans).
Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
