Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound Imaging in Men Presenting with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in a Ghanaian Population

Abstract

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common condition in elderly men. Male LUTS were once called ‘prostatism’ because LUTS in men were thought to be caused primarily by benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). The BPE is a common health problem that affects elderly men worldwide. Aim: The study sought to investigate the correlation between the trans-abdominal ultrasound measurement of the transverse anterior to posterior (AP) and transverse diameter of the prostate. Methodology: A cross-sectional method was utilized in this study. One hundred and twenty-six patients who presented with LUTS were used for the study. Convenient sampling technique was used to obtain the sample. Trans abdominal ultrasound was used to assess the prostate volume, prostate capsule, echotexture, anterior to posterior diameter, transverse diameter and the residual bladder volume. The prostate volume was measured using the formula 0.523(L x W x thickness) of the gland. Results: The results showed that the transverse diameter and AP diameter of the prostate had a positive but weak relationship with the residual urine volume. The study findings also revealed that the prostate volume has a fairly strong relationship with the residual urine volume. The findings showed that ultrasound determination of prostate volume is a good predictor of prostate contour. The findings also showed that prostate volume is not a reliable determinant of prostate echotexture. Conclusion: The study concluded that the AP and transverse diameters have a weak but positive relationship with the residual urine volume. The prostate volume also has a significant relationship with the residual urine volume. The study also concluded that the prostate volume and prostate contour give better suggestion of prostate malignancy. However, the study could not establish with validity that prostate volume with the nature of echotexure may give a good suggestion of prostate malignancy.