Prostate vascular Flow: The effect of ejaculation as revealed on transrectal power Doppler sonography

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of ejacul ation on prostate vascular Row. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Using power Doppler technology, we performed four tra nsrectal sonographic examinations before and immediately, 6 hr, and 24 hr a fter ejaculation in 10 healthy volunteers, Images were assessed by three in dependent observers, RESULTS. Ninety-seven percent of the images ranked as having the least flow were from the baseline examination. There was a significant difference bet ween the rankings when categorized into the four time sets (mean score for the baseline group was 1.1, whereas for the immediate, 6-, and 24-hr postej aculation groups it was 2.5, 2.9, and 2.4, respectively (p < 0.0001). The o nly statistically significant difference was between the baseline and the t hree remaining groups. Interobserver agreement was high, with the chance-co rrected measure of agreement of 0.78, CONCLUSION. Transrectal sonography revealed that prostate vascular how incr eases dramatically after ejaculation and remains elevated for at least 24 h r. This observation should be considered when power Doppler sonography is u sed to assess for potential hyperemia in patients suspected of having prost ate abnormalities.