Prostatic perfusion in the dog using contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound.

Ultrasonography has become the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of the prostate gland in the dog. Unfortunately, despite providing excellent images, it may be difficult to differentiate the common canine prostatic diseases with ultrasound because many have a similar ultrasonographic appearance. Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to monitor and characterise the normal perfusion pattern and perfusion dynamics of the canine prostate gland when using a micro bubble contrast agent. In all contrast studies, the prostatic artery, entered the prostate gland on the dorso-lateral surface then tunnelled into the prostatic capsule and branched into many small parenchymal arteries which were directed medially towards the urethra to supply the body of the prostate gland. The flow of the contrast medium into the prostatic parenchyma was visible after 15 s. During the wash-in phase, there was an homogenous enhancement of the prostatic parenchyma. During the wash-out phase, an homogenous decrease of the echogenicity was visible in all cases.