Prostatic abscesses: radiographic findings and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the medical images and therapeutic strategies in patients with prostatic abscesses.


METHODS
From April 1999 to August 2002, 12 patients with prostatic abscesses at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand were reviewed The average age was 47 years (range 29 to 75). Diagnostic procedures included analysis of midstream urine, abscess fluid for pathogens and medical imaging with TRUS, CT and MRI. Therapeutic options were transrectal ultrasound-guided drainage or conservative medical treatment.


RESULTS
Almost all patients had predisposing diseases. All patients showed hypo-echoic masses, plus internal septation in 5 cases. Most lesions were located at the central gland. Their sizes ranged from 0.5 to 2.75 cm (average 1.51 cm) in diameter. The main pathogen was B. pseudomallei. On TRUS imaging, patients with melioidosis had one or more hypo-echoic areas with internal septation, thickened wall and surrounding multiple small daughter abscesses. All abscesses resolved within 4 weeks, with no difference in the duration of treatment, despite different sizes or pathogens.


CONCLUSIONS
Transrectal ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis of prostatic abscess as well as in the guidance for aspiration and the drainage of such abscesses. Our data showed sonographic patterns in prostatic abscess, especially with melioidosis.
Aphinives
Chalida
C
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Pacheerat
Kajit
K
Chaiyakum
Jitjaroen
J
Laopaiboon
Vallop
V
Aphinives
Potchavit
P
Phuttharak
Warinthorn
W
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography