TRANSRECTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN UROLOGY

Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) is now widely used in urological pr actice and has a place for selecting patients undergoing surgery (TURP vs. Open), performing guided biopsy of digitally abnormal findings or imaging of the prostate in case of elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The technique is advantageous in monitoring therapy (medical t reatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or follow-up of prosta te cancer). It is the best available imaging modality in the follow-up of patients after external or interstitial irradiation, certainly if TRUS is combined with guided biopsies. TRUS can be used in interstitia l irradiation for an exact placement of seeds or needles. The role of TRUS in staging prostate cancer has not been defined, although staging is improved with TRUS. Improvement of early detection of prostate can cer using TRUS is only marginal and digital rectal examination combine d with PSA is generally accepted as 'screening' investigations. Imagin g of the prostate and the seminal vesicles has its place in the diagno stic workup for infertility and prostatitis.