TRANSRECTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY AS A METHOD TO MONITOR CANINE PROSTATIC SIZE IN SITU

Using transrectal ultrasonography, horizontal tomograms of the canine prostate were obtained for cross sections at every 5 mm. Prostatic volume was estimated as the sum of volumes determined for each section. Prostatic weight was calculated from the volume and the specific gravity of the prostate. A highly significant correlation was observed between actual prostatic weight determined gravimetrically and that estimated by ultrasound. The relationship between the two parameters was described by regression equation : estimated weight (g) =0.97×gravimetric weight (g) +0.60, R=0.91, p<0.005, n=11. This demonstrates that transrectal ultrasonography can be used to accurately estimate change in prostate size during experiments without surgical intervention.