Reproducibility of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound of the prostate

Transrectal three-dimensional (3-D) contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultraso und (US) is a novel technique for studying possible prostate malignancy. Be fore studies can be performed to investigate the clinical validity of the t echnique, reproducibility of the contrast US studies must be proven, Reprod ucibility of contrast US was studied in 10 patients with biopsy-proven pros tate cancer. The studies performed included static investigations and dynam ic investigations of the prostate vasculature, All studies were double perf ormed. The assessment of reproducibility was done objectively using a compu ter program and, subjectively, by visual assessment. The results indicate h igh reproducibility of static contrast investigations, for both the objecti ve and subjective assessment. The subjective assessment of the dynamic stud ies was also highly reproducible. The objective assessment of the dynamic c ontrast studies, however, was less reproducible, mainly due to motion artef act, We concluded that, especially static 3-D contrast-enhanced, power Dopp ler investigations of the prostate are highly reproducible, (E-mail: m.sede laar@uro.azn.nl) (C) 2001 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Bio logy.