Prostatic carcinoma: detection and staging using suprapubic US.

Eighteen patients with pathologically proved carcinoma of the prostate were examined with suprapubic ultrasound (US) to assess the capability of the modality in the detection and staging of the disease. Five of the patients were evaluated for recurrent disease. A detailed, retrospective, echo-textural analysis of the prostate and periprostatic structures was performed. The most frequently encountered US findings were recorded and used as criteria in the diagnosis and staging. Most diagnostic of the echo patterns were the presence of a large (greater than 6 mm) focal density within the peripheral zone that was as bright as or less bright than the density of the capsule, a mixed or diffuse pattern, and loss of integrity of the capsule, seminal vesicles, or bladder. Using these criteria, we were able to correctly diagnose 17 of 18 cases, with an accuracy rate of 94%. US was also used to assess the extent of local disease in carcinoma of the prostate. The US staging was compared with the staging by digital re...