Kazuya Harada

Transrectal ultrasonotomography of the prostate.

New equipment for transrectal ultrasonomography has been developed. Wth this equipment an excellent cross-section picture of various intrapelvic organs is easily obtained. Diagnostic application of the technique is particularly significant for abnormalities of the prostate because the shape of the prostate cannot be revealed by x-ray. Diagnostic criteria for prostatic disease are described, with the demonstration of typical cases. In a test by well trained physicians the diagnostic accuracy of the new technique was more than 80 per cent. Ultrasonotomography provided for precise measurement of prostatic size. Transrectal ultrasonotomography is a promising new diagnostic technique that yeilds abundant information not available with former methods of examination. The procedure is likely to become one of th most important diagnostic tools in the field of urology.

Clinical Evaluation of Inside Echo Patterns in Gray Scale Prostatic Echography

Improved gray scale echograms in transrectal ultrasonography clearly can visualize the anatomical structure of and pathological changes in the prostatic gland. This study includes the classification of ultrasonic findings from the prostatic gland into acoustical pattern groups--solid, cystic and mixed--as well as into pathological-anatomical pattern groups--internal gland, external gland, nodule, stone and miscellaneous. The diagnostic accuracy of prostatic diseases using pattern analysis of prostatic inside echoes was 89 per cent, a 9 per cent improvement over that provided by conventional display.

Mass Screening Program for Prostatic Diseases with Transrectal Ultrasonotomography

A special chair-type apparatus for transrectal ultrasonotomography was developed in our laboratory 3 years ago. We did a mass screening program for prostatic disease, using this equipment as the primary study in the system. The 132 apparently normal men evaluated ranged in age from 40 to 76 years (mean 55.0). The 48 patients suspected of having prostatic disease underwent secondary studies, consisting of the usual urological examinations. Prostatic disease was detected in 24 cases, including 18 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Thus, the model program revealed an extraordinarily high prevalence of latent prostatic disease among apparently normal older men.