Role of colour Doppler imaging in detecting prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the role of colour Doppler sonography in the assessment of prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

Forty consecutive patients who were suspected of having prostate carcinoma with either raised prostate specific antigen or abnormal digital rectal examination were included in the study. Transrectal greyscale and colour Doppler sonography of the prostate was performed using a 5-9 MHz intracavitary probe. Needle biopsies were taken from areas that showed increased flow on colour Doppler. The results were correlated with the final diagnosis established on histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Comparison of greyscale and colour Doppler sonography showed that the latter is more sensitive and specific in predicting the malignancy. The statistical parameters of colour Doppler versus grayscale sonography were: sensitivity 88.23 vs. 73.52, specificity 66.66 vs. 33.33, positive predictive value 93.75 vs. 85.18, and negative predictive value 50 vs. 22.22, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Colour Doppler and greyscale sonography should be routinely performed to improve detection of prostate carcinoma and to target the lesion.