title: [Value of urethral ultrasound in evaluation of pathologic urethral changes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the evaluation of urethral stricture disease using ultrasonic urethrography and standard retrograde urethrography (RUG).
  
  
  METHODS
  175 male patients suspected of having urethral stricture disease underwent urethral sonography prior to RUG in a prospective, non-randomized study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A correct positive diagnosis was established in 98% of the cases; a correct negative diagnosis in 96%. The sensitivity and specificity of urethral ultrasound in detecting urethral strictures were 98% and 96%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound offers a three-dimensional study to evaluate the urethral without exposing the gonads to ionizing radiation. The exact length and depth of a stricture, the severity of the strictured segment as well as the anatomy of the periurethral scars were diagnosed accurately. Urethral ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and rapid investigation of the urethra which should be the preferred diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of strictures in the anterior urethra of men.
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik, Medizinische Einrichtungen, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heidenreich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zumbé
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vorreuther
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: U H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Engelmann
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014567:Urography