[The value of seminal vesicle sonography in transrectal ultrasonic examination of the prostate].

During the course of four and a half years, transrectal sonography was performed in 724 men; in each case the seminal vesicles and prostate were evaluated. In 149 examinations, changes were found in the seminal vesicles and in 143 of these, the sonographic finding suggested that the changes were due to prostatic disease. In 95 histologically proven prostatic carcinomas, infiltration of the seminal vesicles could be demonstrated. In three patients there was an empyema and in three others a malformation of the seminal vesicles. Prostatic sonography is essential for accurate diagnosis of the basic abnormality.