The aim of this study was the development of quantitative assessment of prostatic calcifications at prostatic ultrasound examination by the use of an image analyzer.
A group of 82 patients was evaluated by medical history, physical, and transrectal ultrasound examination. Patients had a urethral swab, a 4-specimen study and culture of the seminal fluid. Patients were classified according to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/National Institutes of Health. Subjective symptoms were scored by Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) questionnaire. Ultrasound images were analyzed by the digital processing software Image J to quantitatively assess the presence of calcifications.
Computer-assessed calcified areas were significantly higher in chronic bacterial prostatitis (n = 18; group II; 6.76 ± 8.09%) than in the chronic pelvic pain syndrome group IIIa (n = 26; 2.07 ± 1.01%) and IIIb (n = 38; 2.31 ± 2.18%). The area of calcification of the prostate was significantly related to the CPSI score for domains of micturition (r = 0.278, p = 0.023), Prostatic Specific Antigen values (r = 0341, p = 0.005), postvoiding residual urine (r = 0.262, p = 0.032), total prostate volume (r = 0.592, p = 0.000), and adenoma volume (r = 0.593; p = 0.000).
The presence of calcifications is more frequently observed in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis and is related to urinary symptoms.
Urologia internationalis. 2018 Apr 26 [Epub ahead of print]
Matteo Boltri, Vittorio Magri, Emanuele Montanari, Gianpaolo Perletti, Alberto Trinchieri
Urology Medical School, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy., Urology Secondary Care Clinic, ASST-Nord, Milano, Italy., IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milano, Italy., Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Urology Unit, Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy.