Current Status of Prostatic Echography

Abstract

Recent advances in ultrasonic scanning techniques have provided a method of obtaining transverse sonotomograms of the prostate and other pelvic organs. Sixty-six patients with a variety of prostatic diseases were examined. The overall sonic dimensions of the prostate correlated closely with measurements obtained at open prostatectomy in ten patients. Prostatic echograms were abnormal in ten of 13 patients with locally infiltrating carcinoma and in five of ten patients with malignant tumors that were confined to the gland. Two cases of granulomatous prostatitis were correctly identified, although chronic prostatitis produced few discernible abnormalities. This technique offers a useful adjunct in diagnosis of prostatic diseases and may ultimately prove useful as a screening technique.