Symptomatology and diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia are well known. Diagnosis rests on digital palpation of the enlarged prostate. Objective parameters are laboratory tests, imaging techniques, endoscopy, and urodynamic investigations. Laboratory tests include urinalysis and serum creatinine measurement. Markers are not reliable and the determination of acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen is not recommended routinely for patients with prostatism. Imaging techniques are usually restricted to a complete echographic investigation of the entire urinary tract. Endoscopic manipulations are seldom necessary. Uroflow measurements are customarily performed, but the need for a complete urodynamic investigation is still open to debate.