Sonography or ultrasound is an imaging study using sound waves to picture organs such as the kidney.
Kidney
A Kidney or renal ultrasound studies are pain free. They take very little time. The kidney is imaged in both longitudinal and transverse planes.
Bladder
Bladder ultrasonography is done first with the bladder full and then empty. In order to fill the bladder, patients will be asked to drink a quantity of fluids and then asked not to void till the initial part of the study is completed. The bladder wall,the inside of the bladder and the amount of urine left after emptying the bladder can be determined.
TRUS (Transrectal UltraSound)
This test involves placing a specialized probe into the rectum in order to obtain an ultrasound study of the prostate. This study is primarily useful for two things: (a) obtaining an estimate of the size of the prostate, and (2) insuring that the biopsy needle actually penetrates a representative sample of the prostate when biopsying the gland. Ordinarily, an ultrasound study without a biopsy is not very helpful in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The study may be indicated in those who have an abnormal PSA level, an abnormal digital examination of the prostate, or when attempting to obtain a size estimate of the prostate in anticipation of surgery.
Normally, the patient would prepare for the TRUS and needle biopsy of the prostate by stopping all blood thinners for at least a week before the study and self-administering a Fleet enema about an hour or two prior. All patients will continue antibiotics after the biopsy.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes and is usually not very uncomfortable. The man lies in the left lateral position and the ultrasound probe is introduced into the rectum and the prostate imaged,measured and the volume determined. A periprostatic nerve block is performed and then multiple transrectal needle biopsies taken of the prostate in several representative areas. The patient leaves and continues his course of antibiotic. Patients can resume their daily activities immediately after the study. Following the procedure, you may notice a little blood in the urine, semen, and in the stool for a few days and rarely for several weeks.
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