History and applications of transrectal sonography of the prostate.

The technical developments that have ensued from the earliest attempts at prostatic ultrasonography can now produce reliable, high-definition sonograms of the prostate. Transrectal ultrasonography is used for screening, diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of prostate cancer, as well as for guided biopsy and urodynamic studies. New areas of technical research such as imaging reconstruction, computer analysis, and Doppler studies should further increase the scope of applications for transrectal sonography.