Ultrasound evaluation of the paediatric prostate.
OBJECTIVE
To document the shape, echogenicity and volume range of the normal paediatric prostate on transabdominal ultrasound, and to determine the feasibility of imaging the seminal vesicles and prostatic urethra with transabdominal ultrasound.


METHODS
Transabdominal ultrasound of the prostate was performed in 36 boys, aged 7 months-13.5 years (mean 7.7 years), with normal prostates.


RESULTS
Generally the prostate was hypoechoic, ellipsoidal in shape with a volume range of 0.4-5.2 ml (mean 1.2). The seminal vesicles were demonstrated in 56% of boys but only occasionally could the urethra be visualized. No colour flow was demonstrated within the prostate.


CONCLUSIONS
The paediatric prostate can be easily visualized by transabdominal ultrasound. This technique may be of value in the investigation of incontinence, posterior urethral valves and seminal vesicle pathology, and in the monitoring of prostatic volume in hypogonadal boys.
Ingram
S
S
Department of Paediatric Radiology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
Hollman
A S
AS
Azmy
A F
AF
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color