Prostate micro-ultrasound
Prostate micro-ultrasound
In the urology clinic in Bled, we offer patients as the first provider in Slovenia micro-ultrasound of the prostate.
WHAT IS MICRO-ULTRASOUND?
Micro-ultrasound is a new diagnostic method that is more accurate than conventional ultrasound. Compared to conventional ultrasound, which operates at a frequency of 10MHz, micro-ultrasound operates at 29MHz and provides a 300 times better image resolution.
It not only gives an estimate of the size, but also a deeper look into the tissue; we can see what the tissue looks like and whether there are any disease changes – i.e. the size, shape, and structure of the prostate. For example, you can see where a biopsy (tissue sample collection) was taken years ago. It also allows you to see if the tumor has spread outside the prostate.
Prostate micro-ultrasound has been a well-established diagnostic method worldwide for several years, and at the diagnostic centre Diagnostični center Bled, we are the first in Slovenia to offer it to patients for the detection of various prostate diseases, especially prostate cancer. Prostate micro-ultrasound can be used both for preventive examination, diagnosis, and monitoring of prostate cancer when active monitoring is chosen.
For micro-ultrasound, you should first book an appointment for a urological examination, during which a urologist will assess whether micro-ultrasound is the appropriate diagnostic method for you.
Basic information about the examination
Locations where Prostate micro-ultrasound is conducted:
- Bled | Pod skalo 4, 4260 Bled
HOW IS PROSTATE MICRO-ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?
The examination is carried out by a urologist. It is performed on an outpatient basis as part of a urological examination. In this way, the urologist can give an opinion forthwith on whether there is a need for further examinations or treatment. Prostate micro-ultrasound is a minimally invasive, painless examination. It is transrectal – the urologist inserts the probe into the anus. The patient is lying on his side during the examination.
The method is also very useful in patients with pacemakers, metal implants or hip endoprosthesis who cannot undergo a prostate MRI.
If the urologist finds suspicious areas during the examination, he or she can also perform a biopsy of the prostate by means of the micro-ultrasound using the same device. If the MRI scan shows altered parts of the prostate, also a fusion-guided prostate biopsy may be done, which combines the prostate MRI image with a micro-ultrasound, allowing the urologist to guide the biopsy needle with extreme precision. This increases the accuracy of prostate tissue sampling and consequently reduces the number of samples needed.
For the patient, the procedure is less invasive, causing less discomfort, and there is less chance of complications and a faster recovery. The biopsy is performed transperineally, through the perineum rather than the intestine, which reduces the chance of infection from the procedure and the need for prophylactic antibiotic treatment. The tissue samples taken are then sent for histopathological analysis to detect any cancerous changes in the samples.
WHEN/WHO SHOULD WE RECOMMEND PROSTATE MICRO-ULTRASOUND TO?
To all men who:
- have an urge to urinate frequently.
- need to urinate more often at night.
- have a sudden urge to urinate which makes them feel like they won’t make it to the toilet in time.
- feel that their bladder has not emptied completely after urinating.
- have a weak urinary stream.
- have difficulty starting to urinate (urination does not start for some time, then urine begins to drip slowly, drop by drop).
- have an interrupted urinary stream and dripping urine after urination.
- have reduced sexual desire.
All or some of the above problems may occur.