Comparison of Transabdominal and Transrectal Ultrasonography of the Prostate Gland in Dogs

Abstract

Objective- To compare transabdominal (TA) and transrectal (TR) ultrasonography of the prostate gland. Design- Experimental study. Animals- 10 intact male dogs that required euthanasia for reasons other than prostatic disease. Procedures- Prostatic length (L), width (W) and height (H) were measured in T A (L₁, W₁ and H₁) and TR (L₂ and H₂) ultrasonography. Prostatic volume was calculated using the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid (V_E1 and V_E2) or for a box (V_B1 and V_B2) in TA and TR procedures, respectively. The dogs were euthanized, the prostate gland removed, and actual prostate dimensions and volume were measured. Linear regression was used to compare prostatic dimensions and volume measured by ultrasonography to actual ones. Results- In TR ultrasonography there was no damage to rectum, the time for evaluation of the prostate gland was faster and the resolution of prostatic images was better than other procedure. There was highly significant correlation between prostatic parameters and their actual dimension. V_B1, V_E1and V_B2 were greater and V_E2 were lesser than actual prostatic volume. In TR and TA methods the dimensions had significant correlation with real prostatic sizes, while had not significant statistical differences with real prostatic sizes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - TR ultrasonography found to be a simple, quick and noninvasive method and TA ultrasonography also yields useful information about the prostate. Calculated prostatic volume doesn't estimated prostatic volume correctly and need to use equations produced by linear regression: V = 0.427 V_B1 – 0.88. V = 0.796 V_E1 – 0.40. V = 0.680 V_B2 – 1.95. V = 0.980 V_E2 + 1.94.