What is included in a urological ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men, and how to prepare for the examination of the pelvic organs? Timely ultrasound as a way to monitor men's health. Pelvic ultrasound in men: what is included, how to prepare for the examination

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Ultrasound examination of the bladder is a type of instrumental diagnostics of this organ, based on obtaining images of various tissues from ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasound of the bladder - the essence and principles of the diagnostic method

Ultrasonography Bladder, as the name of the method implies, is based on the possibility of obtaining an image of an organ on a monitor by passing ultrasonic waves through it. That is, a special sensor emits ultrasonic waves with a high vibration frequency that are not detected by the human ear. These waves pass through various tissues, are partially absorbed by them, partially reflected and refracted. The reflected ultrasonic waves return back and are picked up by the same sensor that emits them. Next, the captured reflected ultrasound waves are amplified by the device, automatically processed, and an image of the internal organs and tissues appears on the monitor of the ultrasound machine.

Depending on the properties of the biological structure, it absorbs more or less ultrasonic waves, causing different numbers of waves to be reflected back to the sensor. It is the unevenness of the absorbing and reflecting ability of tissues that allows you to create images of various objects on the monitor.

Transabdominal access for ultrasound of the bladder is the simplest, most convenient and safest, as a result of which the lion's share of organ studies is currently carried out in this way. Transvaginal and transrectal approaches provide more information about the bladder, but are used less frequently, only when it is necessary to obtain comprehensive and as detailed data as possible. Transrectal access is also often used in men when it is necessary to evaluate the condition of not only the bladder, but also the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and other genital organs. Transvaginal access for ultrasound of the bladder is used only for women, and transrectal is used mainly for men and young girls (virgins). Transrectal ultrasound of the bladder in adult women is rarely performed, preferring transvaginal access when necessary to obtain detailed data on the condition of the organ. Transurethral access for ultrasound examination of the bladder is rarely used, since it requires special expensive equipment and the need for pain relief. Let's look at how an ultrasound of the bladder is performed using transabdominal, transvaginal and transrectal methods.

To perform an ultrasound using transabdominal access, the patient needs to lie on his back on a couch and expose the lower abdomen (the area from the pubis to the navel). The doctor will apply a special gel to the abdomen, which is necessary to improve the quality of the image obtained on the monitor. The gel is usually cold, so you may feel some discomfort in the first few seconds after applying it, but it will go away quickly. After this, the doctor will press the ultrasound machine probe firmly against the abdomen and move it over the surface of the skin with light pressure, obtaining images of the bladder on the screen from different angles. The procedure is completely painless and usually lasts from 5 to 15 minutes. After the ultrasound is completed, the doctor will remove the transducer from the abdomen, and the patient will need to clean the skin and get dressed.

In some cases, when an ultrasound of the bladder through transabdominal access is prescribed to determine the volume of residual urine, after the main study, the doctor asks the patient to urinate, after which he again places the sensor on the stomach, measures the necessary parameters and determines how many milliliters of urine remain in the organ after urination.

To perform an ultrasound of the bladder through transvaginal access, the woman is positioned on a couch lying on her back with her knees bent and her legs spread apart. It will be necessary to remove clothing from the lower half of the body, including underwear. Next, the doctor lubricates the sensor with a special gel, puts a condom or sterilized rubber cap on it and inserts the device into the vagina. By turning the sensor into the vagina at different angles, the doctor sees on the monitor an image of the bladder from different angles, which makes it possible to diagnose various pathologies. After the test is completed, the doctor removes the sensor from the vagina, and the woman can get dressed and leave.

To perform an ultrasound of the bladder via transrectal access, the patient should lie on the couch on his side, pull his legs bent at the knees towards his stomach, after removing clothes from the lower abdomen. The doctor lubricates the sensor with gel, puts a special sterile cap or condom on it and inserts the instrument into the rectum 5–6 cm. Then, by changing the position of the sensor, the doctor receives images of the bladder on the monitor from different angles. After completing the examination, the doctor removes the instrument from the rectum, after which the patient can get dressed and leave.

Ultrasound of the bladder in women and men

There are no fundamental differences in performing ultrasound of the bladder in men and women, but there are a number of features that should be mentioned. Thus, men are usually prescribed an ultrasound of the bladder to determine the volume of residual urine, which is due, firstly, to the need to diagnose the pathology of not only the bladder, but also the genital organs located next to it (prostate, seminal vesicles). And secondly, in men a simple ultrasound of the bladder is less informative than in women, therefore, for high-quality diagnosis it is necessary to determine a larger number of parameters, one of the most important of which is the volume of residual urine. If a man is suspected of having pathology only of the urinary system, then a transabdominal ultrasound is usually prescribed. But if a man is suspected of having a pathology not only of the urinary system, but also of the reproductive system, or if it is necessary to distinguish between diseases of the bladder and prostate/seminal vesicles, then a transrectal ultrasound is prescribed. Since men often have situations when the doctor needs to accurately determine whether the existing symptoms are due to pathology of the urinary or reproductive system, in practice, representatives of the stronger sex are usually prescribed transrectal ultrasound of the bladder.

Women are usually prescribed a transabdominal ultrasound of the bladder without determining the volume of residual urine, since this study is quite sufficient for diagnosis. If the doctor needs the most accurate data, then women are usually prescribed a transvaginal ultrasound of the bladder, which allows not only to increase the information content of the diagnosis of bladder diseases, but also to distinguish them from possible pathologies of the genital organs (adnexitis, salpingitis, etc.).

There are no other fundamental differences in ultrasound of the bladder in women and men.

What parameters are assessed by ultrasound of the bladder?

When performing an ultrasound, the following parameters must be assessed:

• The location of the bladder relative to neighboring organs and tissues;
• Condition of Lieto's triangle and bladder neck;
• Bladder size (three dimensions are measured - width, length and depth);
• Bladder shape (normally round, oval or slightly triangular, always symmetrical);
• Contours of the bladder (smooth, uneven, scalloped, etc.);
• Condition and thickness of the bladder wall;
• Bladder capacity;
• Release from the ureters and the rate of bladder filling with urine;
• The presence of neoplasms in the bladder (if they are detected, their shape, size, and growth pattern are determined);
• The presence of suspension (pus, blood, sand, etc.) and stones in the contents of the bladder;
• Condition of the ureters.

The doctor must take two photographs of the bladder - a transverse one with the ureter and a longitudinal one. A comprehensive assessment of the above parameters, reflecting the condition of the bladder, allows the doctor to diagnose various pathologies of the organ.

Interpretation of ultrasound of the bladder

Normally, the bladder should have a round, oval or slightly triangular shape, with clear, even contours. The thickness of the bladder wall is normally 2–5 mm, and the inside of the organ should be hollow (echo-negative) without suspension, pinpoint inclusions (stones, blood clots), etc. The doctor also evaluates the release from the ureters into the bladder, which is normally visible on the monitor, and its speed is up to 14.5 cm/s. The rate of filling of the bladder with urine is normally 50 ml per hour, and the volume of the organ in women ranges from 250 to 550 ml, and in men from 350 to 750 ml.

A sign of pathology is a thickening of the bladder wall of more than 5 mm, which may indicate an inflammatory process, closure of the organ lumen with a stone or tumor.

If the contour of the bladder is scalloped, cysts or a bifurcated wall are visualized around it, then this indicates diverticula, ureterocele, etc.

If the volume of the bladder is larger than normal, then this may be a sign of narrowing, stone or injury to the urethra, enlarged prostate in men, cystocele, or neurogenic bladder. If the volume of the bladder is less than normal, this may indicate cystitis, schistosomiasis or a tumor.

Small multiple hyperechoic/hypoechoic formations in the bladder cavity may indicate cystitis or sand. If the hyperechoic/hypoechoic formations are larger, then this may be a sign of stones, cysts, polyps or bladder tumors. Polyps, cysts and tumors usually look like immobile hyperechoic inclusions in the cavity of the bladder, and stones and sand look like mobile ones.

If the doctor detects the backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters, this may indicate neoplasms, stones, sand, or abnormalities in the structure of the urinary organs.

The volume of residual urine is normally less than 50 ml, and if it is more, then this may be a sign of an inflammatory process, stones, tumors (and in men, also pathology of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles).

We have indicated the main ultrasound signs of normal and pathological bladder, on the basis of which we can only roughly orient ourselves regarding the general condition of the organ. But a full interpretation of ultrasound data can only be carried out by a doctor, taking into account the person’s clinical symptoms and data from other examinations (tests, palpation, etc.).

Bladder ultrasound price

Currently, the cost of ultrasound of the bladder via transabdominal access ranges from approximately 500 to 3500 rubles. The cost of the study is somewhat cheaper in public health institutions and more expensive in private centers. In addition, the cost of the study depends on whether it includes determination of residual urine volume. If such a parameter is included in the study, then it is approximately twice as expensive as a simple ultrasound of the bladder without determining the volume of residual urine.

Ultrasound of the bladder - video

Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Many techniques are used to diagnose diseases of the urinary system. One of the first places among them is given to ultrasound diagnostics, which is prescribed for the study of the urinary organs and the male genital area. Before performing an ultrasound of the bladder in men, preparation is necessary to help obtain the most accurate result.

Types of diagnostics

Bladder examination in men is done in the following ways:

• Transabdominal. The study with this method is carried out through the abdominal wall. Allows you to diagnose diseases of the bladder and prostate.
• Transrectal. Diagnosis is carried out through the anus using a special ultrasound sensor. This type allows you to determine the presence of a connection between pathologies of the prostate gland and the bladder. With its help it is possible to control the amount of residual urine. Allows for biopsy.
• Transurethral. Carried out in exceptional cases. Reveals the relationship between the urethra and the bladder. This is done using a urethral sensor. This is a rather painful procedure, which is performed using local anesthesia. By doing this, there is a risk of damage to the urethra.

Indications for research

A urologist performs a study if the following indicators are present:

• frequent, painful urination;
• the presence of various impurities and sediments in the urine;
• urinary retention;
• if you suspect ICD;
• sharp nagging pain in the lower abdomen.

In addition, an ultrasound examination is prescribed after the following surgical interventions: after removal of tumor tumors of the bladder, crushing or removing stones, removal of an adenoma through the bladder, surgery on the urethra, ureter. Ultrasound of the bladder is prescribed for men in the presence of tumors of the organ. Moreover, diagnosis should be carried out both before and after therapy. It allows you to detect the presence of metastases.

This method is widely used to differentiate other diseases that have a similar clinical picture. Among them:

• inflammation of the prostate gland;
• inflammatory processes of the ureter;
• kidney pathologies.

Conducting a transrectal examination

Contraindications

There are some contraindications for ultrasound examination of the bladder, which are related to the diagnostic method. It is not indicated to examine the organ transabdominally in the presence of urinary incontinence, since this study is carried out only if the bladder is well filled, overweight (since scanning with subcutaneous fat makes it difficult), skin lesions in the research area, scars and sutures on the bladder.

Transrectal diagnosis is not carried out for inflammatory processes of the rectum, absence of the rectum, intestinal obstruction, or an allergic reaction to latex. Transurethral examination is not done if there is intolerance to medications that have an analgesic effect, or if there are inflammatory processes in the urethra.

Preparatory activities

Preparation for the study also varies depending on the type of diagnosis. If the procedure is performed transabdominally, you should arrive with a full bladder and empty bowels. To do this, you need to drink at least 1 liter of clean water within 2 hours. Before the procedure, take a diuretic, which is necessary for accelerated outflow of urine by the kidneys. In addition, for 2 days you must adhere to a diet that reduces increased gas formation.

Dietary food limits the consumption of:

• raw vegetables;
• juices;
• dairy products;
• alcohol;
• carbonated drinks;
• fresh baked goods;
• legumes;
• coffee.

The last meal should be no later than 7 pm. You must come for diagnostics on an empty stomach. You should also administer a cleansing microenema the day before. You can reduce the number of gases with the help of activated carbon, Espumisan. To prepare for a transrectal examination, you should cleanse the intestines by using a mild herbal laxative or an enema.

If the patient needs to undergo a transurethral examination, then, due to the fact that it is performed under anesthesia, it is necessary:

• Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages, as they can interact in unpredictable ways with medications;
• Take a light breakfast in the morning. For two hours before the procedure, it is necessary to avoid exposure to nicotine. Since nicotine, as a result of pain relief, can lead to nausea;
• Warn your doctor about the presence of allergic reactions, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.

How the research is carried out

If the diagnosis is carried out transabdominally, then the patient lies on the couch with the abdomen freed from clothing. The doctor moves an ultrasound sensor over the skin, scanning the bladder and nearby organs. To evaluate the functioning of the prostate gland during the procedure, the doctor asks you to visit the toilet. Next, visualization is performed after emptying the bladder. Usually the procedure does not take more than 20 minutes. In transrectal ultrasound, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum. During the diagnosis, the doctor may ask you to change the position of the body.

A condom with applied gel is placed on the sensor. During the internal examination, the distance between the bladder and the sensor is reduced. This allows you to examine the organ in detail.

Decoding

The bladder belongs to the category of hollow muscular organs that can be easily diagnosed using ultrasound. Doctors, assessing its work, pay attention to the shape, volume, thickness, structure, filling of the organ, emptying, contents, volume of residual urine. These parameters will allow the specialist to assess the condition and make an accurate diagnosis.

Normal bladder indicators in men are:

• rounded shape with clear and even contours;
• echogenic structure, which changes due to the patient’s age. Elderly people and people suffering from chronic bladder diseases have increased echogenicity;
• volume from 350 to 750 ml;
• wall thickness varies from 2 to 4 mm. This has a connection with the fullness of the organ. If thickening or thinning is observed in any area, then this is classified as a pathology;
• the volume of residual urine should not be more than 50 ml.

Diagnosed pathologies

As a result of the study, the following diagnoses can be made:

• cystitis;
• cancerous tumors;
• presence of a foreign body;
• vascular changes;
• reflux in the form of urine backflowing into the ureter from the bladder;
• inflammation;
• congenital pathologies;
• increased functionality;
• enuresis;
• diverticula.

Increased echogenicity of the organ occurs:

• with stones;
• cysts;
• polyps;
• narrowed size of the ureter;
• neoplasms.

Formations that cause an increase in echogenicity can be mobile, such as stones, or immobile, such as polyps. Neoplasms with a denser structure are visible on the device as light spots, for example, stones. Polyps and cysts will appear as lighter spots. Urine reflux into the ureter from the bladder, which can reach the renal pelvis, is caused by an abnormality of the urinary tract, sediment and stones, and neoplasms.

In this case, Doppler ultrasound is performed to determine the volume of thrown and residual urine. It detects the direction of the current and assesses the degree of the disease. Ultrasound diagnosis of the bladder makes it possible to identify multiple pathologies at the very beginning of their development. This is a safe technique that can be performed more than once to monitor the result of the prescribed treatment.

This analysis allows us to identify diseases and pathologies and determine compactions in organs. It is accurate and completely safe, so it can be used repeatedly even for a short period of time. Such a study does not require surgical intervention, and the result is immediately displayed on the monitor of the doctor who conducts the examination.

How is the procedure performed?

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men does not take much time and does not require restorative actions afterward. The procedure for conducting the examination depends on its type and the organs that need to be examined.

When ordering an abdominal test or Doppler ultrasound, the following steps must be taken:

• The patient lies on his back on the couch and removes clothing from the lower abdomen
• The doctor applies a special agent to the area being examined that improves the passage of sound waves through the body tissues
• Then he moves a special sensor over the patient’s abdomen, and the results are displayed on the monitor and recorded in the protocol

With this type of pelvic ultrasound, a man must first undergo the procedure with a full bladder, and then again with an empty one.

For transrectal examination, the procedure is slightly different:

• The patient should remove clothing from the lower part of the body and sit on the couch, lying on his side with his knees bent
• The doctor puts a protective device (condom) on the sensor and lubricates it with gel for better ultrasound transmission
• The sensor is inserted into the patient's rectum, the data is transmitted to the screen and noted in papers

Doppler examination differs in results - in this case, vessels are displayed, marked in different colors, which allows you to determine the quality and speed of blood flow. It can be done using one of the above methods.

The time spent on the procedure is not long - it takes no more than 20 minutes.

What is included in the examination?

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men includes a comprehensive analysis of several organs:

• The prostate is an endocrine gland that protects the bladder from infection and also produces a number of hormones and secretions that support reproductive health.
• Seminal vesicles are glands with a cell-like structure in which seminal fluid is formed.
• The bladder is an organ that is necessary for storing and removing urine from the body.
• Adjacent structures and lymph nodes

When examining the condition of the seminal vesicles and ducts, abdominal and transrectal examinations are used. They determine the presence in an organ of elements uncharacteristic for its structure. The second of them makes it possible to identify the smallest formations and compactions.

An ultrasound of the bladder is performed abdominally, first with the organ filled with urine, and then again with the empty one. This is necessary to determine how completely this fluid is removed from the body. The study helps determine the presence of stones and other pathologies or neoplasms.

When examining the prostate, its volume is measured, its shape and structure are determined, as well as the presence or absence of any pathologies. In men over forty years of age, it often increases in size more than the body needs for proper functioning.

Also, studies make it possible to determine the patency of the vessels of the pelvic organs and the speed of blood flow in them, which is also necessary for the proper functioning of the structural elements of the genitourinary system.

Ultrasound of organs in men allows you to examine tissues and lymph nodes adjacent to the bladder and prostate. This possibility is especially important when inflammation is diagnosed, but its nature is unclear or undefined.

The pelvic organs are located quite close to each other. Therefore, there is a high probability that an infection that gets into one of them will quickly affect all the others. That is why it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination regularly.

Indications for examination

Doctors prescribe pelvic ultrasound for men with the following symptoms:

• Pain when urinating
• Inability or excessively frequent urine output (especially at night)
• Discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen
• The appearance of blood or pus in the urine
• Problems with potency
• Impossibility of conception
• Presence of sexually transmitted diseases
• There are abnormalities in urine tests
• Unexplained pain in the groin

Also, men over the age of 40 need to undergo a regular comprehensive ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, since it is at this age that the likelihood of problems and pathologies in the genitourinary system increases.

Types of research

For ultrasound examination of the male pelvic organs, three types of ultrasound analysis are used:

• Abdominal
• Transrectal
• Dopplerographic

The first type of examination is carried out using a sensor that allows you to examine organs through the wall of the abdominal cavity - the doctor moves the device over the patient’s abdomen, and in this way an image is projected onto the monitor. This is an accurate and painless type of analysis. It allows you to identify many pathologies and diseases, including detecting stones (calculi) in the bladder, changes in the size of the walls of organs, and the presence of neoplasms.

Transrectal ultrasound is necessary when an abdominal examination cannot be used (due to an abdominal wound or the inability to completely fill or empty the bladder) or does not provide sufficiently detailed results. At the same time, inserting a sensor into the patient’s anus can be quite painful, so they try not to use this method unless absolutely necessary. It can be used to look for very small tumors or cysts.

Dopplerography allows you to detect disorders and pathologies in the vessels and their ability to transfer blood to the cells of the body: diameter, patency, blood flow speed, wall thickness. The study visualizes them in different colors on the screen. It represents an additional scan when using either of the two methods described above. This type of ultrasound with Doppler ultrasound is called duplex.

What diseases can be detected

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men can help in diagnosing a number of disorders and diseases:

• Inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) in acute or chronic form
• Urolithiasis and the presence of stones (stones and sand)
• Seminal duct disease (vesiculitis)
• Bladder problems (cystitis)
• Oncological formations (malignant tumors)
• BPH
• Cysts, polyps, benign tumors
• Vascular diseases of the testes and testicles
• Problems with blood circulation in organ tissues

To identify such ailments at an early stage, it is recommended to undergo a preventive examination from time to time, and if the slightest symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.

Preparation for the procedure

For different types of pelvic ultrasound tests in men, preparation is somewhat different.

Before performing an abdominal examination, you must:

• Stick to the diet for two or three days. This is necessary to eliminate the possibility of excessive gas formation in the intestines, since it interferes with a high-quality view during the examination:
• On preparation days, food should be low-fat (fish, meat and poultry are acceptable), you can eat cereals, hard cheeses and drink weak tea
• Dairy products, fatty meat and fish dishes, vegetables, fruits, coffee, alcohol should be excluded from the diet.
• The last meal the night before should be no later than 18:00
• It is advisable to do an enema the same evening
• If a patient suffers from excessive flatulence, then he should take a medicine that can regulate this process. You should consult your doctor about this
• The examination should be carried out on an empty stomach
• Do not smoke before the examination
• An hour before the procedure, you need to drink from half a liter to a liter of water, since ultrasound passes much better with a full bladder.
• It is often necessary to conduct an examination of the organ to determine whether urine is excreted from the body. To do this, you need to repeat the procedure, but with an empty bladder.

Transrectal examination requires different preparation:

• The day before it is necessary to use drugs to clean the rectum. When choosing a drug, it is recommended to consult with your doctor
• Or on the day of the study, 2-3 hours before the test, apply an enema
• During the standard procedure, a full bladder is not required, but occasionally (when it is necessary to identify the causes of infertility, erectile disorders, etc.), the doctor may prescribe examinations with a full bladder. In this case, you need to drink 0.5-1 liter of water before the process.

Doppler ultrasound requires preparation similar to that for the test method that will be used.

If an urgent examination is necessary due to injury or other reasons, it is carried out without preparation.

Survey results

During an ultrasound of organs in men, the data is displayed on the monitor and recorded by the doctor in a special protocol, which contains a comparison of the obtained indicators with the normative ones. The main types of information that the diagnostician evaluates are:

• The size and shape of the pelvic organs - they should not be pathologically enlarged or reduced, and their shape should remain clear, uniform and clearly distinguishable. There should be no cysts or tumors
• Their location - organs should not be displaced
• The echogenicity of tissues is their ability to reflect ultrasound. There is a normal, decreased and increased type, and a complete absence of echogenicity is also possible

In addition to the above data, the correspondence of their actual sizes and normal indicators is assessed:

• Seminal vesicles – no more than 1 cm
• Prostate volume – up to 30 cm3
• Prostate sizes:
• Transverse – 27-43 mm
• Anteroposterior – 16-23 mm
• Upper anterior – 24-41 mm
• The bladder wall is no thicker than 0.5 cm

Advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound

The use of pelvic ultrasound as a diagnostic method in men has a number of pros and cons.

Advantages:

• Painlessness (in the case of the transrectal method - low pain)
• No abdominal incisions required
• High accuracy and information content
• Safety - no x-rays used
• Results are immediately visible on the monitor
• Gives a complete picture of both the structure and structure of organs and their localization
• Displays neoplasms and vascular dysfunctions
• Allows you to diagnose disorders at an early stage
• The procedure is not long – it takes up to twenty minutes

Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is the main method of imaging the genitourinary system in men. It allows you to detect various inflammatory processes, benign and malignant neoplasms, as well as developmental anomalies.

In terms of its information content, ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men is somewhat inferior to MRI or CT, but due to its accessibility, low cost and absence of contraindications, it is a mandatory component of the diagnostic program. In this article, we will look at what is included in an ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men, and what pathologies can be detected using this study.

The essence of the method

The ultrasound diagnostic technique is quite simple. It is based on the fact that high-frequency sound waves penetrate well through biological tissue. Some of them (which one depends on the density of the anatomical structures) are repelled back from them. It is detected by a special sensor located on the surface of the body. Then the collected information enters the computer, where it is processed and displayed in the form of an image on the screen. At the same time, there are various ultrasound techniques that allow you to more effectively visualize the blood supply (using the Doppler effect), or create a three-dimensional model of the organ being examined.

A significant advantage of ultrasound of the urinary system over other diagnostic methods are the following facts:

1. Safety. When conducting an ultrasound examination, ionizing radiation is not used, and it is also impossible to worsen the patient’s general condition or provoke the development of a new disease.
2. Availability. The apparatus for carrying out this diagnosis is available in most clinics, outpatient clinics, private and public hospitals. The cost of diagnostics is much lower than CT or MRI of the pelvic organs.
3. No contraindications. Any patient can undergo examinations of the genitourinary system, regardless of his age, the presence of concomitant diseases or implants.
4. Speedy delivery of research results. The results are ready 5-10 minutes after the end of the diagnosis and are given to the patient or his attending physician. This allows you to quickly make a diagnosis and begin the most effective treatment.

Diagnostics take place in the ultrasound diagnostic room. It is done by a specially trained specialist. The examination of the genitourinary system can be separate, or an additional examination of the abdominal organs, heart, and thyroid gland is carried out in one session.

What is included in a pelvic ultrasound in men? During diagnosis, the following organs are examined:

• kidneys (often together with the adrenal glands);
• ureters;
• Bladder;
• prostate gland.

Types of ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men

There are several methods for diagnosing the pelvic organs in men:

For almost all patients, a classic transabdominal examination is sufficient. Only if vascular pathologies are suspected, Doppler mode is used. Transrectal access is rarely used today.

Indications for examination

Ultrasound for men is prescribed by the attending physician after examining a patient with urological symptoms. Among these signs, the following should be noted:

Separately, it is necessary to highlight the suspicion of the presence of a benign or malignant tumor of the genitourinary system. Although ultrasound in this situation does not allow definitive verification, it can accurately exclude an oncological process in the patient.

Features of preparation

Special preparation before ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men is not required, unless diagnostics of the abdominal cavity is planned at the same time. Only 10-15 minutes before the start of the ultrasound, the patient is allowed to drink about 1 liter of still table water. This allows you to activate urine production and fill the bladder with it. It serves as a contrast, which makes it possible to verify pathologies of the genitourinary system with higher accuracy.

If additional ultrasound of the abdominal organs is necessary, it is advisable for the patient not to eat anything for 8 hours before starting the diagnosis. If he has flatulence, he is given sorbents or simethicone preparations. Sometimes a special diet may need to be prescribed in advance.

Methodology

How is a pelvic ultrasound done in men? At the beginning of the study, the patient completely exposes his stomach and lies down on a special couch. A gel is applied to his skin, which promotes good passage of ultrasonic waves. Ultrasound starts with the kidneys. It is better to examine them through the side or back wall. During diagnosis, the doctor first finds the kidneys, then examines their transverse and longitudinal dimensions. He then turns his attention to the structure and homogeneity of the parenchyma.

The thickness of the cortical ball, in which the processes of filtration and formation of primary urine take place, is measured separately. The next step is to examine the condition of the pelvis. It is necessary to measure their size, and also check the presence/absence of stones in their cavity. An example of a normal picture of the kidneys is shown in the following photo. The doctor then examines the ureters. It is important to detect abnormalities in their development, possible stones, as well as unobstructed urine flow.

After this, the sensor is moved to the anterior wall of the abdomen and placed above the pubic bone. This allows you to examine the bladder. First, the doctor measures its size and determines the volume of the filled organ. Then he turns his attention to the condition of the mucous membrane, its thickness, and the presence of hypo- or hyperechoic areas.

In the same position, the prostate gland is examined, which is located near the lower wall of the bladder, where the urethra emerges from it. First of all, the doctor must determine its size, after which he begins to examine the structure of the glandular tissue.

After completing the ultrasound of the urinary system, the gel is removed from the skin using disposable towels. All detected pathologies are included in the report.

The price of an examination in Moscow is 950-1800 rubles.

Useful video

What disorders are revealed during the examination and what causes them is explained by the specialist in this video.

Interpretation of results: norm and pathology

The main normative indicators of ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men are collected in the following table:

Most often, the study reveals the following pathologies:

• urolithiasis disease– the presence of stones in various areas of the genitourinary system;
• pyelonephritis– deformation of the pelvis, the presence of pus in its lumen;
• renal failure– reduction in the thickness of the cortical ball;
• BPH– increase in the size of the gland, preservation of tissue structure;
• bladder cancer– hypoechoic formation in the wall with diffuse growth;
• congenital malformations.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs in men is a quick, safe way to detect diseases of the genitourinary system in the stronger sex. The method is informative to prevent the development of diseases at an early stage, and the result with a description is obtained on the day when the diagnosis was made.

Ultrasound is used to examine the pelvic organs of a man in case of complaints or for preventive purposes. The procedure should be performed annually in persons over 50 years of age, since at this age there is a high risk of developing cancer.

Ultrasound is a longitudinal wave that moves at different speeds and helps determine ongoing processes. Sound travels through a substance, which can be gaseous, solid or liquid, and causes the particles of that object to move. The result is displayed on the monitor screen, which determines the limits of normal or identifies pathology.

The examination for men includes:

• – a gland that produces a number of hormones that support reproductive health.
• The seminal vesicles and ducts are glandular tissue. It looks like cells and is responsible for the formation of seminal fluid.
• The urinary tract is the organ that removes urine from the body.
• Lymph nodes are a biological filter through which lymph flows, cleansing the body.

Indications and contraindications

A pelvic ultrasound is indicated for the following conditions:

• problems with urination, pain and incomplete emptying of the bladder;
• change in the color and odor of urine, semen;
• abdominal injury;
• suspicion of inflammation or tumor processes;
• violation of potency;
• infertility;
• preparation for surgery, control after surgery.

Contraindications to ultrasound in men:

• fissures of the rectum and anus;
• inflamed hemorrhoids with bleeding;
• a neoplasm that narrows the lumen during the procedure using the transrectal method.

You cannot conduct a study one day after an x-ray with a contrast agent, since contrast residues may interfere with the reliability of the result.

How to prepare properly

Preparation for a pelvic ultrasound in men depends on the method used.

Abdominal method:

• a diet that excludes foods that cause gas;
• on the eve of the procedure, if a man has problems with flatulence, you can drink a remedy that eliminates gases - Espumisan;
• the examination is done on an empty stomach and with a full bladder;
• Before the study, you should not smoke or drink alcohol.

Transrectal method:

• the day before the ultrasound, it is advisable to take a laxative;
• sometimes, when determining the causes of infertility, the doctor suggests drinking up to half a liter of water to fill the bladder.

Dopplerography of pelvic vessels does not require any preparatory measures.

How is ultrasound OMT performed?

Methods of carrying out the procedure:

• Transabdominal - through the abdominal wall. The diagnostician examines the pelvic organs on the screen of the device, a sensor in the lower abdomen.
• Transrectal ultrasound is an examination through the rectum. The method is the most informative, as it can detect malignant neoplasms in men at the initial stage.
• – Ultrasound of blood vessels, assessment of blood flow speed, wall thickness of internal arteries.

Procedure for transabdominal ultrasound in men:

• The patient is placed on his back and asked to expose his stomach. The specialist applies a conductive gel to the pubic area, places the sensor and moves it in the lower abdomen, along the pelvis in different directions, depending on the problem being considered.
• The procedure is carried out in two stages. The first - with a full bladder, the second - with an empty one. This method allows you to assess the condition of the genitourinary system and determine the residual volume of urine.

With the transrectal method, the man is laid on his side, his knees bent and pulled up to his stomach. Before diagnosis begins, the rectum is examined by palpation (feeling). A condom is placed on the sensor and inserted into the anus. The examination may cause discomfort and discomfort. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy is taken.

The ultrasound diagnostic doctor will disclose the information:

What does an ultrasound show?

Ultrasound OMT in men will show:

• size, location and type of organs located in the pelvis - they should not be hypertrophied (enlarged), displaced, and their shape normally has clear outlines and a uniform structure;
• absence or presence of pelvic formations;
• echogenicity (the ability to reflect sound) can be normal, increased, or decreased.

Concepts of normal sizes for men:

• seminal vesicles – up to 1 cm;
• prostate volume – 30 cm3;
• bladder wall – up to 0.5 cm;
• residual urine volume – no more than 50 ml.

The result is deciphered by a specialist based on the data received. When performing a pelvic ultrasound in men, the following abnormalities can be detected:

• inflammatory processes of organs (increase in size, accumulation of fluid - dark spots);

• neoplasms - cyst (tight circles), tumor (dark or light spots);

• improper development of the organs of the genitourinary system, resulting in disruption of their functioning;
• sand or stones in the ureters, bladder (light dots and circles).

To see what the prostate looks like on an ultrasound monitor:

Bladder diagnosis video:

How much does the procedure cost?

The cost of ultrasound is calculated depending on the organ, the method of examination, as well as the region where the patient lives. On average, the price for one procedure in Moscow and St. Petersburg is from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles. Free ultrasound OMT can be performed with a referral from the attending physician, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thus, a pelvic examination helps to timely identify the pathological process and inflammation of the genitourinary system in men, promptly carry out therapy, and prevent complications.

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