T.R.U.S.
Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS) is a specialized, minimally invasive diagnostic test used to evaluate the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and surrounding pelvic structures in men. By placing a slender, lubricated ultrasound probe directly into the rectum, clinicians bypass abdominal layers and pelvic bones, positioning the transducer right next to the prostate to get exceptionally sharp, high-resolution images.
The primary diagnostic functions of TRUS include:
- Zonal Anatomy Evaluation: It clearly differentiates the zones of the prostate, including the peripheral zone (where most prostate cancers develop), the transition zone (the primary site of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), and the central zone.
- Volume Measurements: The ultrasound software automatically calculates total prostate volume using length, width, and height dimensions. This is crucial for planning medical or surgical management for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and tracking Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) density.
- Biopsy Guidance: TRUS is widely used as a real-time imaging guide for transrectal prostate biopsies. Clinicians use the live image feed to precisely advance fine needles into specific suspicous lesions or structured sectors to harvest tissue samples.
- Color Doppler Perfusion: Maps vascular distribution throughout the gland, identifying areas of abnormal focal hypervascularity that could indicate acute prostatitis or localized malignancies.
- Adjacent Structure Mapping: It visualizes the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts, helping fertility specialists investigate obstructive causes of male infertility.
TRUS remains a cornerstone tool in urology for evaluating elevated PSA scores, abnormal digital rectal exams (DRE), pelvic pain, and suspected structural anomalies.
