Transabdominal real-time sonographic sector-scanning of bladder, seminal vesicles and prostate: technique and normal anatomy.

There is a wide application of diagnostic ultrasound in urology. Hitherto the transrectal and transurethral approach for evaluation of the pelvic organs has been used much more often. However, since the development of high resolution real-time sector-scanners, the transabdominal suprapubic approach through the full bladder has become more promising. Using this technique which, as a screening procedure, is most acceptable for the patient, detailed normal anatomy can be seen such as the ureteric orifices, the base plate, the proximal part of the urethra, the seminal vesicles and the ampullae, the ejaculatory ducts and the zonal anatomy of the prostate. In this report, the sonographic appearance of these various structures is correlated with anatomical data and the advantages of the transabdominal approach are discussed.