title: Validation of supra-pubic ultrasonography for preoperative prostate volume measurement in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in urological techniques in sub-Saharan Africa need to be supported with practical ancillary diagnostics. This study aimed at determining the accuracy of suprapubic ultrasonography (SPUS) relative to transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), the current gold standard, in estimating preoperative prostate volume in a sub-Saharan African hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms and histologically confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia. The volume of the prostate was estimated using two modalities, SPUS and TRUS. Open prostatectomy was performed on all patients, and the mass of the enucleated prostate adenoma was measured directly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 69 years. The mean prostate volume as determined by TRUS, SPUS, and direct measurement of enucleated prostatic tissue was 96.0, 95.9 and 83.5 mL, respectively. Prostate volume determined by SPUS correlated strongly with the TRUS measurement (ρ = 0.98, P < 0.001). The mean difference between the volume estimates by TRUS and SPUS was 0.09 mL [95% CI -2.07 to 1.89, P = 0.93], with upper and lower limits of agreement of -13.8 and +13.6 mL, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for SPUS relative to TRUS for classifying patients according to the indication for TURP (prostate volume ≤80 mL) versus open prostatectomy (>80 mL) were 95% or higher. The volume of the enucleated adenoma was less than the volume estimated by ultrasonography by approximately 12.5 mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPUS is accurate relative to TRUS in assessing preoperative volume of the prostate and can be used in the African context to assign patients to open prostatectomy or TURP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Kalisya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malemo
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galukande
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawkes
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bugeza
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nyavandu
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaggwa
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods