Ultrasound of the prostate what does it say

How do ultrasound of the prostate in men

Attention to men's health is required at any age, the success of life, work, relationships depends on it. Diseases of the prostate interfere with the implementation of many plans, so an ultrasound of the prostate is a mandatory procedure in the formation of discomfort in the functions of the genitourinary system. In what cases does it become necessary to conduct research, how they are carried out, what kind of preparation they require - every man should know about this.

What is prostate ultrasound

Ultrasound diagnostics of the prostate gland is a high-precision method for determining the pathological processes of this organ. In the study, ultrasound passes through tissues, reflecting differently from healthy and altered areas. The image is displayed on the monitor, the information is analyzed by a doctor who issues a conclusion. When using ultrasound, you can find:

• prostate cancer;
• erectile dysfunction;
• prostatitis;
• bladder injury;
• benign prostatic hyperplasia;
• Urinary disorders.

Ultrasound helps with great accuracy to determine the condition of the prostate, its size, shape, density, echogenicity. Pathological changes in the organ are revealed:

• presence of stones in the lumen, their composition;
• changes in tissue structure;
• features of blood supply;
• presence of neoplasms;
• growth of glandular tissue;
• poor outlines;
• zoom in;
• presence of a cyst;
• inflammatory processes;
• Adenoma with nodular formations.

Indications for carrying out

The prostate gland plays an important role in the processes of urination, erection, and hormone production. Although it is difficult to persuade a man to go to the hospital, it is necessary to do this when problems of the genitourinary system appear. At the age of about 50 years, this is required to be done regularly. Early treatment helps to quickly cope with problems, prevent complications. Doctors prescribe a prostate examination using ultrasound for:

• infertility;
• urinary incontinence;
• the appearance of blood in the semen;
• change in the urethra;
• violation of potency;
• renal failure.

The need to study the state of the prostate using ultrasound arises in the presence of:

• spermogram pathologies;
• lack of erection;
• frequent, painful urination;
• pain in the pelvic area, in the penis, perineum;
• deviations in urine and blood tests;
• detection of tumor markers;
• purulent discharge with urine;
• pathologies revealed during rectal examination;
• Frequent nocturnal urination

Preparing for ultrasound of the prostate in men

Before the examination, patients should be prepared for an ultrasound of the prostate gland. The doctor will explain what needs to be done - it depends on the method of the procedure. There are special preparations for ultrasound. For a transrectal examination of the prostate, you should:

• Three days before the procedure, exclude foods that cause gas formation from the diet;
• have a light meal the night before;
• do an enema before bed and in the morning;
• come to be examined on an empty stomach.

In the case of Transabdominal ultrasound, other preparations are required to obtain the correct result of the prostate examination, to ensure high-quality imaging. A man must:

• avoid soda for two days;
• remove foods that cause bloating;
• fill the bladder - drink 2 liters of water two hours before the procedure;
• go for a procedure if you feel an unbearable urge to urinate.

How to do it

The choice of how to perform the study remains with the doctor. How is an ultrasound of the prostate gland done in men? Two methods are the most popular. Transabdominal - refers to the primary study, is carried out outside, through the abdominal wall, shows an approximate picture of the situation. With its help, they reveal:

• prostate dimensions;
• normal, bladder pathology;
• presence of neoplasms.

The transrectal method of examining the prostate is considered more informative. In this case, ultrasound will be done through the rectum by introducing a special sensor. The method is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis, a detailed study of the organ. This is possible due to the location of the sensor very close to the wall of the gland. With this method:

• measurements of the prostate, neoplasms are carried out with high accuracy;
• The degree of damage is assessed.

Transrectal

Ultrasound for prostatitis, performed by the transrectal method, allows you to obtain accurate results of the study of pathologies. It is necessary to take into account - there are contraindications for the procedure - an acute form of hemorrhoids, sphincter fissures, recent operations on the rectum. Using this technique, you can conduct a biopsy, study in detail:

• all parts of the prostate;
• seminal vesicles;
• blood flow;
• tissue structure.

During the transrectal ultrasound method:

• patient lies on side;
• knees tucked up to chest;
• a condom is put on a special sensor;
• it is smeared with Vaseline;
• the probe is inserted through the anus into the rectum for 6 centimeters;
• the state of the prostate is being studied;
• the picture is displayed on the monitor;
• the doctor takes measurements, analyzes the situation;
• displays a conclusion.

Transabdominal

Not everyone can psychologically and physically endure a transrectal prostate examination, and the procedure has contraindications. In this situation, a transabdominal ultrasound is performed. Examination can not be done with damage to the skin of the abdomen, urinary incontinence. The procedure is performed like this:

• the patient is in the supine position;
• the doctor applies a special gel to the surface of the abdominal wall;
• wipes the sensor over the skin in the lower abdomen;
• on the monitor screen evaluates the state of the prostate, takes measurements, fixes changes;
• gives a conclusion.

Deciphering ultrasound of the prostate

In order to correctly evaluate the results of ultrasound examination of the prostate, you need to have special knowledge. The doctor will interpret the ultrasound. What should be the indicators? Results that indicate the absence of pathologies:

• the shape of the prostate is round or triangular;
• thickness, width, length of the gland within the normal range;
• tissue structure is homogeneous;
• normal density;
• no changes in the vessels are observed.

In the case of prostate diseases, ultrasound is deciphered as follows:

• with adenoma - a strong change in size, the presence of inclusions up to 7 mm;
• chronic prostatitis - increased echogenicity, inflammation - reduced;
• with neoplasms, there is a lack of clarity of contours, an increase in lymph nodes;
• cyst, stones, defined as an area of hypoechogenicity.

Normal prostate size

The formation of this body ends by the age of 25. If men's health is in order, then the prostate does not change in size. When pathologies appear, its growth begins, a violation of the structure, and growth of neoplasms is possible. The normal size of the prostate on ultrasound is in millimeters:

• prostate width - from 30 to 45;
• thickness - 15-25;
• length - 24-40;
• volume is the product of all dimensions of the organ, multiplied by 1.06.

Price of the procedure

You can conduct an ultrasound examination of the prostate gland in hospitals, clinics, medical centers dealing with men's health, family planning. How much does a Prostate ultrasound cost? The price depends on the prestige of the medical institution, the available equipment, the qualifications of the specialists

Video: how to do an ultrasound of the prostate

How is an ultrasound of the prostate done

The most informative and accessible way to obtain information about the processes occurring in the prostate is ultrasound. With the help of wave irradiation, doctors can understand whether there are inflammatory processes in the organ, whether there are abscesses, cysts or calculi. Consider how an ultrasound of the prostate is done, talk about the main methods, preparation for them, the results and their interpretation.

In what cases is ultrasound of the prostate necessary

Various pathologies in the prostate gland do not have characteristic signs. Men complain about health problems that can also occur with damage to the bladder, kidneys, testicles. Therefore, ultrasound of the prostate is necessary in the following cases:

• complaints of pain in the perineum, penis, scrotum, lower abdomen and lower back;
• problems with urination - sluggish stream, frequent urge, lack of process;
• prostate pain on rectal examination;
• disturbances in reproductive functions - early ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, pain during sex;
• discharge from the penis - purulent, bloody, offensive.

Prostate ultrasound in these cases is an effective tool for determining acute or chronic prostatitis, benign hyperplasia, prostate cancer. If the results do not reveal pathological changes in the tissues, the doctor can diagnose "chronic pelvic pain syndrome" (abacterial prostatitis).

Most often, along with the prostate gland, the bladder is also examined. An assessment of the condition of its walls will allow you to better understand the cause of urination disorders.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW! 80% of prostate diseases are asymptomatic, and this rapidly leads to dire consequences. If you need powerful protection against prostatitis, experts recommend. Read more >>

Depending on the goals and contraindications, a man can undergo an abdominal or transrectal ultrasound. The second method is more informative, but is prohibited for hemorrhoids, rectal fissures or violations of the integrity of the anus. Consider the features of each method.

Abdominal ultrasound

In an Abdominal ultrasound of the prostate, ultrasound waves are directed to the organ using a transducer that is moved across the patient's abdomen. This technique is distinguished by the absence of contraindications, painlessness, but the results are not always of high quality.

Peculiarities of preparation and course of diagnostics

Special preparation before this method of examination is not required. However, doctors recommend excluding foods that cause flatulence in the intestines from the diet in 1-2 days. Also, a few hours before the study, you need to drink about a liter of clean water - this is necessary to fill the bladder.

The examination technique is the same as for abdominal ultrasound, the only difference is in the location of the sensor. The man lies on the couch, the doctor applies a special gel to the skin of the lower abdomen, and then scans the prostate.

Abdominal ultrasound of the prostate has limited tissue imaging capabilities due to the inconvenient location of the organ. Also, there will be no accurate results if the man is obese by abdominal type.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)

More informative method than the previous one. Applying an ultrasonic wave through the wall of the rectum allows you to get a clearer picture of the organ, accurately determine the location and area of inflammatory processes, and identify tumors of various sizes. However, in this case, the requirements for preparation are more stringent, there are also contraindications.

Preparation for transrectal ultrasound

If a man follows the rules of preparation, he will be able to get a more accurate picture of the changes taking place in the organ. This means that the doctor will be able to choose the most correct tactics for treating the disease.

Brief reminder to the patient:

• 1-2 days before the test date, eliminate legumes, cabbage and other foods that contribute to the formation of gases;
• avoid alcohol;
• in the evening and the next day, do a cleansing enema;
• drink a liter of water one hour before TRUS;
• if the doctor has given some other recommendations, do not neglect them.

Don't forget to take a referral to the examination with you. If you have problems with urinary incontinence, it is allowed to drink water upon arrival at the clinic, and not at home.

How TRUS is made

In a transrectal examination, the probe is inserted into the anus, so the man should be calm, not worry and follow the instructions of the doctor. The course of the event is approximately the following:

The image of the prostate tissue is displayed on the monitor, if necessary, can be printed.

The diameter of the sensor does not exceed 2 cm, so a man usually does not feel pain. Depending on the condition of the anus and rectum, there may be mild discomfort or an urge to defecate, which does not need to be paid attention to. Unpleasant sensations pass 10-15 minutes after the manipulation.

Rectal ultrasound can detect even a slight increase in the size of the prostate, which is important for the early diagnosis of prostatitis and prostate adenoma. Also, the neck of the bladder is clearly visible to the doctor.

USE FOR PREVENTION! An innovative biologically active drug that naturally restores the health of the prostate gland. Experts recommend! Read more >>

What will ultrasound show

Abdominal or rectal ultrasound allows you to identify various abnormalities in the tissues of the prostate gland, however, you will not be able to decipher the diagnostic results yourself - you need to have an idea about the parameters in the norm and know the terminology.

Modern devices allow us to identify the following problems:

• prostate cyst;
• stones and sand in the gland (if there is calculous prostatitis);
• secret stasis;
• tissue sclerosis;
• foci of the inflammatory process.

The examination also allows you to find out whether the outflow of venous blood is impaired and whether prostatitis is complicated by vesiculitis.

An increase in the size of the prostate will also be noticeable. Normally, these indicators have the following meanings:

• width - 2.7-4.7 cm;
• thickness - 1.6-2.3 cm;
• length - 2.4-4.1 cm.

The volume of the prostate gland of an adult and healthy man aged 40 is 25-26 cm 3, this figure will increase with age.In younger men, the prostate volume is 18-24 cm3.

Inflammation is indicated by an increase in volume by 10% relative to the norm, increased or decreased echogenicity.

Conclusion

Prostate ultrasound is highly informative, therefore it is part of the screening for men over 40 years old, and is also indispensable in the complex of diagnostic measures aimed at diagnosing pathologies in the prostate gland. More accurate results can be obtained only with the help of MRI or CT examinations, but their cost is somewhat higher.

Prostate Ultrasound - What You Need to Know

The prostate gland, or prostate, is the most important part of the reproductive system of the male body. The vas deferens and the urethra pass through this glandular-muscular organ. Therefore, it is not for nothing that the prostate is called the "second heart" of a man. Violation of the functioning of the prostate gland can cause hypothermia, infectious diseases, stagnation of blood due to a decrease in sexual activity (prolonged abstinence) and many other factors. To identify problems with the prostate, a biopsy, microscopic examination of its secretion, and magnetic resonance imaging are used, although an experienced doctor can determine the state of this organ by ordinary probing (palpation). Ultrasound of the prostate gland is also an effective diagnostic method.

Indications for examination

A referral for an ultrasound examination of the prostate is issued by a urologist. The basis for its implementation is an enlarged prostate gland and complaints of patients. Problems with the functioning of this organ may indicate a violation of potency, pain in the perineum, deviations in the analysis of spermogram (infertility), difficulty urinating and other dysuric disorders. It is important that with the help of ultrasound it is possible to detect pathological changes in the work of the prostate already in the early stages, so men should not delay visiting a urologist.

Preparation for the ultrasound procedure

For an ultrasound of the prostate, preliminary preparation is needed. There are two ways of ultrasound diagnosis of the prostate gland: transabdominal (through the skin of the abdomen) and transrectal (insertion of the probe into the rectum). If the study is carried out through the skin of the anterior abdominal wall, then the patient will need to drink a liter of plain non-carbonated water one hour before the procedure. This must be done in order to create a fluid-filled space between the transducer and the prostate gland. This measure improves the conduction of ultrasound and facilitates visual observation of the prostate.

When prescribing a transrectal diagnostic method, it will be necessary to exclude foodstuffs that cause increased gas formation 2-3 days before the procedure. In addition, you will need to clean the intestines so that the feces cannot interfere with visualization of the prostate. To do this, a few hours before the study, you will need to do a cleansing enema.

Ultrasound of the prostate

Transabdominal ultrasound is considered less informative and usually detects neglected (volumetric) pathologies of the prostate gland. The patient lies on his back, his stomach is exposed. The examined area is covered with a special hypoallergenic gel, which improves the passage of ultrasound. The doctor moves the sensor along the stomach, and moves it in different planes, observing the state of the gland on the monitor screen. The procedure takes no more than 10 minutes, after which a conclusion is drawn up.

The transrectal diagnostic method allows you to more fully examine the condition of the prostate gland, since it is separated from the sensor only by the wall of the rectum. The patient lies on the couch, taking the "fetal position" (on the left side, bending the legs to the stomach). A disposable condom is put on the sensor, lubricated with gel and injected into the rectum to the location of the prostate. Of course, such a procedure is unpleasant, but it is more reliable in terms of examining an important male organ.

Prostate results

Ultrasound makes it possible to determine the density, size and uniformity of the structure of the prostate gland, to identify the development of pathological neoplasms. In particular, the increased size of this organ may indicate the presence of benign hyperplasia, or prostate adenoma. With this disease, there is a delay in emptying the bladder, accompanied by frequent incomplete urination. In turn, sexual dysfunction, burning sensation during ejaculation, painful urination are characteristic signs of one of the most common male pathologies - prostatitis. And uneven contours of the prostate gland, a change in the structure of the fatty tissue surrounding it, may indicate prostate cancer.

Specialists note that ultrasound of the prostate gland provides very reliable and accurate information about the state of the "second heart" of a man. Take care of your health!