What Is a Prostate Ultrasound and What Should I Expect?
A prostate ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize the prostate gland. This procedure generates detailed images of the prostate’s size, shape, and internal structure. It assists healthcare providers in evaluating the prostate, often as part of a broader diagnostic assessment, helping to understand various conditions and guide medical decisions.
What a Prostate Ultrasound Reveals
A prostate ultrasound serves as a diagnostic tool, providing information about the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. It is frequently used to investigate elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels, which can indicate prostate abnormalities. The ultrasound helps assess conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition where the prostate gland enlarges, potentially causing urinary symptoms.
It measures prostate volume and identifies structural irregularities. The procedure can also detect abnormal areas, such as masses or lesions, that may warrant further investigation. While it cannot definitively diagnose prostate cancer, it can identify suspicious regions that might require a biopsy. This information helps healthcare professionals understand the gland’s overall health and guides further diagnostic steps.
Preparing for Your Ultrasound
Preparation for a prostate ultrasound involves specific instructions. For a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), the most common type, you may be advised to perform a cleansing enema at home a few hours before the procedure. This clears the rectum for an unobstructed view. Your healthcare provider will give precise instructions for the enema. In some cases, you might need a full bladder, especially if a transabdominal approach is used. Discuss any current medications with your doctor, as some may need temporary adjustment.
The Ultrasound Procedure
During a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), you will typically lie on your side with your knees drawn towards your chest. A small, lubricated transducer, a probe emitting sound waves, is gently inserted into the rectum. This close proximity to the prostate gland provides high-resolution images.
The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that create echoes from the prostate and surrounding tissues. These echoes are converted into real-time images on a monitor, allowing visualization of the prostate’s structure. You may feel pressure or fullness, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated and not painful. The examination usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Understanding Your Results
After the prostate ultrasound is completed, a radiologist or another specialist trained in diagnostic imaging reviews and interprets the images. This specialist analyzes the prostate gland’s size, shape, and internal characteristics, noting any areas of concern. The findings are compiled into a detailed report, which is sent to your referring physician. This report describes what was observed during the scan.
The results might indicate a normal prostate or an enlarged one consistent with benign prostatic hyperplasia. If suspicious areas are identified, the report may suggest further investigation, such as a prostate biopsy, which can sometimes be ultrasound-guided. Your doctor will discuss the results with you, explain their meaning in the context of your overall health, and outline any necessary next steps, integrating these findings with other diagnostic tests.