Evaluation of distribution and size of prostatic calculi in prostatism

Song, Myeong Heub; Choi, Nak Gyeu

Abstract

Prostatic calculosis is a physiological feature of the aging process, but it plays an important role in prostatic diseases. Recently we have evaluated the size and location of prostatic calculi in 314 patients with prostatic disease during the period from Aug. 1991 to Feb. 1992 using transrectal ultrasonogram. Prostatic calculi over 3 mm in diameter (with strone echo and posterior acoustic shadow) were observed 12% (3/26) in normal control group, 26% (47/170) in BPH and 20% (17/85) in chronic prostatitis. The incidence or size of prostatic calculi were increased with age. We classifed the calculi "central", when calculus located around the verumontanum or prostatic urethra and "peripheral", when calculus located peripherally. 76% of calculi with prostatitis were located centrally but 59% of calculi with BPH were located peripherally. 69% of calculi with symptom group (patients who complain of voiding dysfunction in 60 years or elder age group without BPH or other urologic diseases) were located centally. Prostatic calculi were also observed in four patients with hematospermia (4/6) and in five patients with-ejaculatory duct cyst (5/6). These results indicate that all prostatic calculi were not asymptomatic and transrectal ultrasonogram should be done to evaluate prostatism. The treatment modality can be chosen and the prognosis estimated by knowing the location and size of prostatic calculi.