Ultrasound of the prostate. The technique and indications for the examination.

Ultrasound (ultrasound) of the prostate and seminal vesicles is a modern method that is used for the diagnosis of diseases of the male genitals (prostatitis, infertility, erectile dysfunction, etc.).

For patients is a simple painless procedure, and for the urologist, informative and demonstrative method of clinical examination. Thus, in contrast to other methods, ultrasound can be performed as necessary at regular intervals of time without adverse effects on the health of men.

Indications for

• Pathology and tumors, detected by rectal digital examination in the office of a urologist, for example, a noticeable increase in size of the prostate, seal, etc.

• Inflammation, wherein the patient has a discomfort, cramps during urination, pain in lower abdomen, discharge from the urethra;
• Definition of pathological abnormalities in the semen analysis;
• Voiding;
• Any changes in the blood and urine tests, including increasing the level of a specific antigen blood;
• The symptoms of renal disease (clinical manifestations of chronic and acute forms).

Ultrasound doctors recommend men who have a low potency and a feeling of incomplete emptying after urination.

The methodology of the

Transrectal ultrasound is commonly carried out by the method (through the rectum). Transrectal study allows the physician to study in detail the structure of the prostate, and also to consider carefully the seminal vesicles.

Transducer high-frequency ultrasonic apparatus for the study of small size (not more than 2 cm in diameter), so the discomfort during the procedure is minimized. The sensor during the treatment is about the prostate. During the procedure, the patient lies on his left side with bent to the stomach feet.

Ultrasound examination of the prostate gland can be performed transabdominal way (through anterior abdominal wall skin). This method is approximate, because it may not give a clear picture in contrast to the transrectal.

Prior training

For ultrasound transabdominal technique, the patient should come to the procedure with a full bladder.

For the procedure of transrectal method need preliminary preparation of the patient. The procedure is generally scheduled for the morning and the night before is recommended to do an enema of the rectum.

What diseases can be identified

In ultrasound specialist evaluates the structure of the gland, its density, size, uniformity, availabilityany tumors. The normal size of the prostate should not exceed 3*3*5 cm, and a volume of 25 ml.

Depending on the results, it can be identified the following diseases:

Prostatitis

Inflammatory disease of the prostate gland. The main symptoms are a burning sensation and discomfort during ejaculation and urination, frequent urination, disorder of erectile function.

On ultrasound when the prostate is observed enlargement of the prostate.

Prostate adenoma (benign hyperplasia)

The disease, which is accompanied by a significant increase in the size of the prostate, over time, leads to violations of the outflow of urine and inability to empty the bladder.

The main symptoms are a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, weak flow of urine and advanced stage – delay of the outflow of urine.

It is believed that the adenoma is celebrated every second men have reached 60 years of age. Timely initiation of treatment often leads to good results. In the later stages of the disease the only treatment is surgery.

During the ultrasound examination of the prostate, the patient has an increase in size of the prostate and adenomatous nodes.

Cancer

A malignant tumor that usually develops in men after 60 years. The disease for a long time can occur without showing any symptoms, leading to late detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

With the aim of timely detection of the disease all men after 50 years recommended every year to undergo ultrasound examination of the prostate.

Cyst

A disease characterized by the formation in the gland cavity of the small size liquid. Usually a cyst of the prostate develops on the background of chronic prostatitis. With the help of ultrasound examination of the prostate can determine the position of the cyst and its size.