title: [Transrectal ultrasound: an applicable diagnostic approach to chronic prostatitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the application value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  TRUS and examination of prostatic secretion (EPS) were used in the diagnosis of 3 500 cases of chronic prostatitis from September, 2000 to May, 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower resonance of the inner gland, low-level echo, uneven echo light spots, incomplete outlines and unsmooth borderlines were found in 2279 cases (65.1%), and the enlarged prostate in 1 084 cases (31.0%), with clear integrated amicula and enhanced echogenic spots at the juncture of the external and inner gland. No obvious changes were noted in 137 cases (4.0%), and in another 391 cases (11.2%) were detected alteration of the acoustic image of cystospermitis and blurred margins and uneven echoes of the seminal vesicle. The WBC count in EPS was < 10/HP in 132 cases (3.8%), 10-19/HP in 2 156 cases (61.6%) and > or =20/HP in 1212 cases (34.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TRUS, as a diagnostic means for chronic prostatitis, can be easily performed and causes little pain and therefore is readily accepted by patients. Combined with EPS, TRUS can provide more definite diagnostic evidence, and for those who are afraid of pain and reject EPS, it is a desirable alternative in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China.
authors.forename: Hai-tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mu-chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei-hu
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guo-yi
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Kai-chen
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiang-bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012007:Rectum; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*