Noninvasive evaluation of the enlarged prostate preliminary results.

The choice between a conventional endoscopic examination of the prostate and a noninvasive technique with ultrasound raises a basic question: Which method is most reliable and informative yet has an acceptable costbenefit ratio? One hundred patients selected on the basis of fixed criteria were examined by ultrasonography and so far 50 have been operated on. Pathologic conditions were observed in the upper urinary tract at ultrasonography in 18% of the cases. The method was found reliable as a basis for the choice between open prostatectomy and transurethral resection. Noninvasive examination of patients with an enlarged prostate is a reliable method in the preoperative evaluation. The method is convenient to the patient and no more time-consuming than cystoscopy. The capital investment in ultrasound is high, but the cost per examination low.