J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2000 Dec;19(4):277-282.

Prostatic Abscess: Transrectal Ultrasonography Findings

• Lim JW
• Park SJ

Abstract

This retrospective study was to evaluate the transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) findings of prostatic abscess. From 1995 to 1999, TRUS had been performed in 18 patients with prostatic abscess, diagnosed by TRUS-guided needle aspiration in 15 patients, and clinical findings associated with follow-up TRUS in three patients. Color and power Doppler ultrasonography were also performed in 12 of 18 patients. In 18 patients, TRUS showed 25 prostatic abscesses: single abscess in 11 patients (61%) and two abscesses in 7 patients (39%). Thirteen abscesses (52%) were located in the peripheral gland, 12 abscesses (48%) between the peripheral and central gland. The prostatic abscess was represented as a hypoechoic area that contained solid portion in 15 (60%), internal debris in 14 (56%), and septa in 9 cases (36%). The hypoechoic area had well-defined border in 20 cases (80%) and ill-defined border in 5 cases (20%); in 10 cases, the lesion showed perilesional hypoechoic halo. The hypoechoic area had perilesional low echoic area suggesting inflammatory changes in 19 cases (76%). Color and power Doppler in 12 patients showed no flow signal within the lesion, but increased perilesional flow signals. The most common TRUS findings of prostatic abscess was a well-defined hypoechic area that had perilesional low echoic area; in color and power Doppler ultrasonography, a high perilesional vascular flow was presented with absent flow in the lesion itself. These TRUS findings could be helpful in the diagnosis of prostatic abscess.

MeSH Terms

Abscess*
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Needles
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography*
Ultrasonography, Doppler