Analysis of the incidence of seminal and prostatic lithiasis by transrectal echography
Espuela Orgaz, R.; Nogueras Gimeno, M.A.; Passas Martínez, J.; Abad Menor, F.; Martínez Pérez, E.
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia 39(9): 609-615
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-0614 PMID: 3548607 Document Number: 273409
The following study was undertaken to analyze the incidence of prostatic and seminal lithiasis diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound. All patients seen during the last 5 years with some form of pathology or symptomatology involving the prostate were entered into the study. Two groups of patients were studied. The first group comprised 850 patients who were seen at our service before intracavitary ultrasound became available, and the second group comprised 500 patients seen thereafter. Analysis of the incidence of seminal and prostatic lithiasis was performed in the first group of 850 patients using conventional X-ray and endoscopy as methods of diagnosis. For the second group comprised of 500 patients, transrectal ultrasonography was routinely used in addition to the foregoing methods. Comparison of the results obtained for each group revealed a frequency of 92.6% of prostatic lithiasis diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography versus 1.2-2% for those diagnosed radiologically. This marked discrepancy shows that the unavailability of an adequate diagnostic method impeded diagnosis of all existing lithiasis. Furthermore, our results confirm that transrectal ultrasonography is to date the best diagnostic imaging method for the prostate.