ULTRASOUND IN THE EVALUATION OF URETHRAL STRICTURE DISEASE - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY IN 175 PATIENTS

Objective To investigate the characteristic ultrasonic appearance of u rethral stricture disease in men. Patients and methods Between 1990 an d 1992 a prospective study in 175 men with the suspicion of urethral s tricture was performed using urethral ultrasound as the first diagnost ic procedure, followed by retrograde urethrography, voiding cystoureth rography or urethroscopy. Results The sensitivity and specificity in d etecting urethral strictures were 98% and 96% respectively. Ultrasound offers a three-dimensional study in the evaluation of the urethra wit hout exposing the gonads to ionizing radiation. The exact length and d epth of the stricture, the severity of the strictured segment as well as the anatomy of the periurethral scars were diagnosed accurately. Co nclusion Ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and rapid investigation o f the urethra which requires no exposure of the patient to ionizing ra diation and should be the preferred diagnostic procedure in the evalua tion of strictures in the anterior urethra in men.