QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF THE ACCURACY OF LINEAR-ARRAY TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND IN MEASUREMENT OF THE PROSTATE

In 61 prostate autopsy specimens, linear array transrectal ultrasound and electronic vernier calipers were used to measure 3 maximal diameters along the longitudinal, anterior-posterior and transverse axes. The results were comparable. We assessed the reliability of empirical formulae, derived from various combinations of these 3 diameters, for the prediction of prostatic volume and weight. Formulae using all 3 diameters were accurate. The combination of longitudinal and anterior-posterior diameters, which was used clinically for prostate measurement, was less accurate.