Ultrasound of the prostate. Analysis of tissue texture and abnormalities.

Thirty-nine patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic carcinoma, or prostatitis underwent ultrasonography using a transabdominal suprapubic approach. In both benign hypertrophy and prostatitis, the gland was enlarged and exhibited a homogeneous echo pattern, being hypoechoic in prostatitis and either hypo- or hyperechoic in hypertrophy. Carcinoma was characterized by focal areas of increased or decreased echogenicity with irregular margins. The various sonographic appearances are explained by correlation with the histological findings, and the advantages of the transabdominal approach are discussed. The authors suggest that widespread application of this technique will improve early detection of prostatic carcinoma.