Prostate Ultrasound: Purpose, Procedure and Preparation

The prostate is a small gland that plays a key role in male fertility and urinary function. Prostate issues like enlargement, infection, or cancer can be detected early with ultrasound imaging.

Prostate ultrasound is a specialised imaging technique that provides a detailed visualisation of your prostate. This valuable diagnostic tool complements the rectal examination and review of your medical history in evaluating your urological health.

Ultrasound prostate tests help your healthcare providers to easily differentiate normal prostate gland tissues from abnormal ones, which is vital for detecting many diseases. This technology also facilitates ongoing monitoring of prostate conditions, allowing physicians to track changes over time with minimal discomfort to patients.

What is Ultrasound Imaging of the Prostate?

Ultrasound imaging of the prostate is commonly referred to as transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). It is a safe and painless procedure that enables your healthcare professional to see your prostate gland.

Since this procedure is most often done via the rectum, your doctors have the closest access to your prostate and can give them better images of it.

The TRUS uses high-frequency sound waves that bounce off the prostate tissue and captures detailed, real-time images of your prostate to assess its size, shape, and overall health.

This ultrasound test can help identify any potential issues, such as abnormalities or growths, providing important information for your doctor to guide your treatment.

What is a prostate ultrasound used for?

Prostate gland ultrasound is recommended for various clinical situations. This non-invasive procedure helps your healthcare providers examine your prostate for various abnormalities and conditions. Common uses of prostate ultrasound include:

• Prostate cancer: 

  • An ultrasound can help in detecting signs of prostate cancer, especially in patients who have elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or abnormal findings during a digital rectal exam (DRE).

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): 

  • It assesses prostate enlargement and its impact on the urinary tract.

• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate): 

  • This diagnostic imaging technique detects signs of inflammation or infection in the prostate.

Your physician may recommend a prostate ultrasound if you experience concerning symptoms such as:

• Difficulty in urinating

• Blood in urine

• Abnormal blood or urine test results

• Lumps around your rectum

Prostate ultrasound also allows your healthcare provider to take a small sample of prostate tissue or a biopsy from your prostate to aid in diagnosis. 

To take charge of your health, book an appointment with Thomson Medical to meet our medical specialists and discuss a personalised treatment plan.

How do I prepare for a prostate ultrasound?

In most cases, no special preparation is required for a prostate ultrasound. However, your healthcare provider may request certain preparations in some instances:

• You might be asked to fast for a few hours before the procedure.

• You may be given a laxative or an enema to cleanse your bowel before the test.

• You may be asked to stop some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin (a blood thinner), one week before the test if your doctor plans to take a biopsy from your prostate.

• Your doctor may give you sedative medication to help you relax during the procedure.

The preparation process varies depending on your overall health and the purpose of your ultrasound. It is important to discuss any current medical treatments or medications you're taking with your healthcare provider before scheduling prostate tests to ensure the most accurate results and your safety.

How is a prostate ultrasound done?

The procedure is brief and usually completed in under 20 minutes. Your urologist, a specialist in men's genital and urinary concerns, will perform the procedure.

The process is typically performed using an imaging tool called a transducer, which emits high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of the prostate.

Before the ultrasound, you will be asked to change into a gown and lie on the examination table. You may either lie on your back or your side, with your knees bent slightly towards your chest. Comfortable clothing is recommended for ease of movement.

Your technician will guide you throughout the entire procedure to ensure you're in the correct position for the most accurate prostate assessment.

• Your technician will apply anaesthetic gel to the ultrasound probe, or transducer (imaging probe), and gently insert it into your anus and rectum.

• Your technician will move the probe to capture images of your prostate from different angles. The monitoring system may capture and document ultrasound images throughout the examination.

• For a biopsy, the technician will gently insert a needle alongside the transducer into your prostate to collect a tissue sample.

• After the procedure, you can change back into your clothes.

What will I experience during and after the procedure?

During the procedure, you may feel slight tenderness or discomfort in your rectum for a few days, but no special aftercare is necessary. If a biopsy is performed, you might experience additional discomfort due to the needle insertion, but the discomfort is usually minimal because the rectal wall is relatively insensitive to pain in the prostate area.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the potential risk of infection. After the ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately. It may take a few days for the radiologist to review the detailed images and provide a diagnosis. Rarely, you might notice a small amount of blood in your urine or semen following the procedure.

What results can I expect from an ultrasound prostate scan?

A prostate ultrasound scan provides valuable information about your prostate gland, including:

• Showing the size and shape of the prostate, which is important for diagnosing certain conditions like benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), which refers to the enlargement of the prostate with urinary symptoms.

• Showingthe internal structure and texture of the prostate gland, which can identify cysts, nodules, and other areas of increased density. All are associated with prostatitis.

Based on the results of the ultrasound scan, your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests, such as a prostate biopsy, to further aid in diagnosis and confirm any suspected conditions.

Possible risks

Prostate ultrasound is considered to be safe and carries no major risks other than slight discomfort during the examination.

Because it does not use radiation for imaging, discomfort is the primary associated risk, making it a low-risk diagnostic tool overall.

FAQs

What does an ultrasound of the prostate show?

Ultrasound of the prostate shows the size, shape and condition of the prostate. Abnormal results may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or prostatitis.

Can an ultrasound detect prostate cancer?

Ultrasound of the prostate can detect prostate cancer. However, your healthcare provider may recommend a prostate biopsy to establish the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Do I need to drink water before a prostate ultrasound?

It is not necessary for you to drink water before a transrectal prostate ultrasound. However, if your healthcare provider is doing a transabdominal scan to look at your prostate, you will need to drink at least 500 mL of water to fill your bladder 30 minutes before your appointment.

Can an enlarged prostate be diagnosed with ultrasound?

Yes, an enlarged prostate can be diagnosed with ultrasound by measuring the prostate parameter.

How accurate is a prostate ultrasound?

A prostate ultrasound is a relatively accurate imaging test compared to X ray. It can look directly into your prostate via rectum. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend other tests for a comprehensive evaluation.

How painful is a prostate ultrasound?

In most cases, it does not cause pain. The procedure may cause discomfort for some men, particularly when combined with a prostate biopsy.

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations based on your medical conditions, request an appointment with Thomson Medical.