Ultrasound of the prostate in men - preparation for the procedure, interpretation of the results

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound, sonography) is a modern, safe, non-invasive diagnostic method that does not use harmful radiation. During the examination, very high frequency sound is used, reflected from the internal organs, it is captured by a sensor, processed using a computer program and converted into an image.

For diagnosing the condition of internal organs, ultrasound is considered the most informative method. However, it requires some preparation from the patient. For example, it is important to ensure minimal gas formation in hollow organs such as the stomach and intestines, otherwise the test may be less accurate and reliable. For the same reason, a special gel is applied to the patient’s skin. The gel does not cause discomfort, does not contain allergens or substances harmful to health, does not leave greasy stains on clothes and is easily washed off with plain water.

If you are taking medications, notify the ultrasound physician.

It is impossible to perform an ultrasound after fibrogastroscopy and fibrocolonoscopy, as well as X-ray examinations of the gastrointestinal tract, since in this case air enters the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract or radiopaque substances are introduced, which greatly complicates the ultrasound.

Preparation for ultrasound of the abdominal organs (including examination of the abdominal aorta)

3 days before the ultrasound examination, it is necessary to exclude gas-forming foods from the diet: brown bread and baked goods, milk and fermented milk drinks, legumes (peas, beans, lentils, etc.), raw fruits and vegetables, sweets, smoked meats, beer and carbonated drinks , alcohol. Stop taking tablet laxatives.
The study is carried out strictly on an empty stomach. If it is scheduled for the morning, then the last meal can be no later than 19:00 of the previous day (light dinner). If the study is carried out in the afternoon, then the last meal is recommended at least 6-10 hours before (light breakfast).
Stop smoking for two hours before the test to avoid spasms and deformation of the walls of the hollow organs.

Two methods of ultrasound examination of the prostate gland

Transrectal (TrUS).

The ultrasound probe is inserted into the patient's rectum because this is the optimal position for examining the prostate located anterior to it. The person lies on his side with his legs pressed to his chest. The diagnostic method is as accurate and informative as possible.

Transabdominal.

The examination takes place through the anterior abdominal wall, similar to ultrasound of other organs. The accuracy in this case is slightly lower than in the first.

Both methods allow you to obtain an image of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues, and then clarify the diagnosis based on the results. The accuracy of the method depends, among other things, on the qualifications of the diagnostician and his ability to interpret what he sees. That is why it is better to have an ultrasound of the urinary system and prostate done by an experienced specialist, for example at the Gorbakov Medical Center.

Who is indicated for ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys?

The localization of the organ in the pelvis and its belonging to the urinary system leads to the fact that ultrasound is often performed in conjunction with other organs. In men, the prostate gland is located on the neck, which with age undergoes benign changes and hyperplasia develops. Therefore, bladder ultrasound is often combined with prostate examination.

In women, the organ is located in front of the uterus and covers it; after filling, it becomes possible to examine the genitourinary system. But its targeted study is carried out according to indications. Also, research is required for renal pathologies, regardless of gender, that affect urinary function.

An ultrasound of the urinary system is necessary for the following diseases:

suspicion of malignant or benign tumors. According to statistics, cancer makes up 3% of all cancer pathologies and is more often observed in men;
with prostate adenoma or benign hyperplasia;
prostate cancer;
acute or chronic prostatitis;
urolithiasis disease.

Ultrasound is not informative; if the patient has cystitis in acute or chronic form, the examination will show swelling of the organ wall, its thickening.

Application area

An ultrasound scan of the prostate gland and bladder in Moscow is recommended in such cases and for the following purposes:

to determine the cause of male infertility;
to diagnose the cause of difficulty urinating, such as cystitis;
for detection of tumors and early diagnosis of prostatitis, prostate cancer, as well as other diseases;
to determine the size of the gland, which is important before choosing treatment tactics and prescribing a regimen (deviations from the norm indicate an inflammatory process or oncology);
to take a needle biopsy - a small tissue sample for further research.

It is worth doing an ultrasound examination of the prostate gland if the patient complains of pain, discomfort during urination, and also if there are other disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Transrectal method

Preparation for a rectal ultrasound of the prostate will take longer. Since the doctor will conduct an ultrasound examination through the rectum, it is necessary to ensure thorough cleaning of the lower digestive tract. The accumulation of gases and food debris in this area can lead to diagnostic errors in case of prostate cancer or adenoma.

Using a rectal sensor, a clear visual picture of urology is obtained, which allows one to determine the size of the prostate gland, its consistency, possible inclusions and neoplasms. The device is inserted transrectally, moving deep into the intestine by 5–6 cm.

If it is necessary to examine the seminal vesicles, then the advancement of the device is continued another 1–2 cm. In this case, the man will experience discomfort. Unexpressed pain may appear if the pelvic organs are inflamed, or with acute prostatitis. You can view the vessels with a Doppler ultrasound of the prostate. Sometimes an ultrasound examination alone is not enough to make a correct diagnosis. Then they take an analysis of the prostatic juice obtained after a prostate massage. Massage is done through the urethra (on a bougie) or rectally.

Enema: how to give it

To properly prepare for a prostate examination, it is important to thoroughly cleanse the intestines through an enema. You can do an enema yourself. To do this, you will need an Esmarch mug - a special device for introducing water into the body. It consists of a rubber reservoir and hose and a removable or non-removable tip. As a rule, the rubber hose has a clamp designed to regulate the intensity of the water jet.

Before use and immediately after the procedure, the individual tip is cleaned of fecal residues, washed with soap, and then boiled for 30 minutes. Store dry in the container where the boiling took place.

Sequencing:

Immediately before the enema, the tip is connected to the hose and thickly lubricated with Vaseline or baby cream.
The clamp is closed, the tank is suspended at a height of 1.5–1.8 meters and filled with slightly cooled water.
By opening the clamp and passing water along the entire length of the hose, remove air from the tube. This will help make the procedure easier.

Next, lie on the edge of the bed or couch on your side, bringing your knees as close to your chest as possible. This position is also called the “fetal position”, because this is the position the fetus occupies during intrauterine development.

It is important to try to relax the buttocks as much as possible and carefully insert the tip into the anus, moving it along its entire length. Next, you should open the clamp and wait until Esmarch’s mug is empty.

By removing the tip from the anus, retain as much water as possible inside the body. This is easier to do by taking the knee-elbow position, so the procedure will be more effective. You will have to visit the toilet several times until the feces are evacuated from the man’s body. This enema should be done several hours the day before the proposed prostate ultrasound.

Preparing the patient for the diagnostic procedure can be done without a tedious enema. An enema for a man is an unpleasant manipulation, which is why disposable Microlax microenemas are used.

Microlax is a safe, fast, highly effective laxative, produced in a special tube that allows you to hygienically administer the medicine directly to the desired part of the gastrointestinal tract. Emptying will occur within 15 minutes after the end of the simple procedure.

Taking a laxative

To avoid the unpleasant enema procedure, you can take the laxative Fortrans or its analogues. These drugs are classified as osmotic laxatives, which cleanse all parts of the gastrointestinal tract without disturbing the microflora. Fortrans dose calculation: take 1 sachet of powder per 20 kg of body weight. It is dissolved without residue in 1 liter of water. One package contains 4 sachets of medication.

Preparing for an ultrasound requires special attention. But these are simple steps that can be easily done at home. At your doctor's appointment, you can ask all your questions. A competent urologist will give detailed answers and explain all unclear stages of preparation. This is how high-quality and accurate results of ultrasound examination of the prostate gland in men are obtained.

How to prepare properly

Transabdominal administration does not require any preparation. The only condition is a full bladder. Before an ultrasound examination of the prostate and bladder, you must refrain from urinating for three hours. If this is not enough or is impossible for some reason, you need to drink about 1 liter of water an hour before the appointed time.

If the transrectal method is chosen, it is necessary to clear the intestines of feces that may interfere with the manipulation. For this purpose, the patient is recommended to refrain from eating for eight hours before the procedure, and also to undergo a cleansing enema. It would also be a good idea to follow a diet the day before that will prevent bloating. There are no more restrictions.

Indications for the study

difficulty urinating,
pain and discomfort in the perineum and sacrum
feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder
potency disorders
and, finally, the most common problem is frequent urination at night, which prevents the patient from sleeping.

First of all, you need to consult with an experienced urologist who will prescribe the correct study for you or conduct it yourself. In the future, you can return to the same doctor with the results of the study so that he can prescribe treatment for you.

The second option is that you can independently undergo laboratory and ultrasound diagnostics at the Kaluga Pain Clinic, thereby conducting an independent preventive examination. Men are recommended to do it once a year.

How does the procedure work?

The duration of ultrasound of the bladder and prostate in men is 5-7 minutes, regardless of the chosen method. The study uses an electronic sensor that sends ultrasonic waves and sends them to a computer. The signals are converted into an image, which is displayed on the screen in a matter of seconds. The specialist interprets the results of an ultrasound scan of the man’s prostate and draws conclusions about the presence or absence of diseases.

Urologists and andrologists recommend transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles for all men over 40 years of age for preventive purposes, even in the absence of complaints. If any symptoms appear that indicate a malfunction of the genitourinary system, you should make an appointment at the medical center as early as possible.

What is the procedure

The principle of the study is based on the fact that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the sensor are reflected from the tissues of the human body and recorded. After undergoing special processing, they transfer the image to a computer. The specialist sees the full picture and can determine not only the external condition, but also the size, even weight of the organ. For prostate diseases, the following types of diagnostics are performed:

Transabdominal - in other words, through the stomach. The sensor examines the prostate through the anterior wall of the peritoneum. The method is low informative, the waves pass through the bladder and muscles, the image may be distorted;
Trasurethral - through the urethra. It is painful, despite the microscopic size of the sensor. It is used most often during surgical interventions.
Transrectal (TRUS) – through the rectum. A fairly informative method, the study allows you to obtain the maximum amount of data.

If the patency of the rectum is impaired, there are contraindications to TRUS, the sensor can be installed in the perineal area. By examining the area under the scrotum, a specialist can determine whether the size of the prostate is normal and obtain information about its functionality.

results

When deciphering indicators, experts are guided by the average values generally accepted in urology to characterize a healthy prostate:

Normal prostate thickness is 15-25 mm;
width – 25-45 mm, length – 2.5-4.5 cm;
the prostate should have a homogeneous structure and normal density;
be triangular or round in shape;
there should be no changes in the vessels;
the permissible amount of residual urine is up to 15 ml.

Deviations from these indicators indicate pathological processes in the organ. For example, an increase in size indicates a change in glandular tissue or the disease fibrosis, which often develops after 40 years. Ultrasound of the bladder and prostate gland with determination of residual urine makes it possible to most accurately diagnose abnormalities in the functioning of the urinary system.

Prostate ultrasound cost

In the price list for ultrasound of the prostate and bladder at Professor Gorbakov’s Clinic you will find two prices - for transabdominal and transrectal examination. The second is more accurate and informative, so the price for an ultrasound examination of the prostate gland in this case will be higher. Residents of Moscow, Krasnogorsk, Mitino, Strogino and other nearby settlements can take advantage of this offer.

The price includes diagnostics, as well as results with photos and detailed interpretation. The research is carried out by specialists of the highest category who have the skills to work with modern color Doppler and are able to competently decipher the information received.

Preparing for an ultrasound of the gallbladder

Preparation for this study is almost the same as for the study of the abdominal cavity. It is necessary to take for research those products that stimulate the functioning of the gallbladder. You can use full-fat sour cream or purchase a choleretic agent (holiver, corn silk, etc.) at the pharmacy. Children are given dark chocolate instead of sour cream. This ultrasound is done 2 times. First on an empty stomach. And before the second study, they take choleretic products. Therefore, this research takes a lot of time.

Offer from the Gorbakov Clinic

If you are concerned about disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system, problems with the urethra, kidneys, or you have reached the age of forty - a dangerous milestone for a man - sign up for an ultrasound examination of the prostate gland at our medical center.

The procedure will take place in a comfortable environment, under the supervision of an experienced specialist who will tell you how to minimize the level of discomfort. The manipulation is absolutely safe and can be performed an unlimited number of times according to indications or for preventive purposes.

Call and make an appointment at a convenient time!