[Value of urethral ultrasound in evaluation of pathologic urethral changes].

AIM: To compare the evaluation of urethral stricture disease using ultrasonic urethrography and standard retrograde urethrography (RUG).

METHOD: 175 male patients suspected of having urethral stricture disease underwent urethral sonography prior to RUG in a prospective, non-randomized study.

RESULTS: A correct positive diagnosis was established in 98% of the cases; a correct negative diagnosis in 96%. The sensitivity and specificity of urethral ultrasound in detecting urethral strictures were 98% and 96%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound offers a three-dimensional study to evaluate the urethral without exposing the gonads to ionizing radiation. The exact length and depth of a stricture, the severity of the strictured segment as well as the anatomy of the periurethral scars were diagnosed accurately. Urethral ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and rapid investigation of the urethra which should be the preferred diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of strictures in the anterior urethra of men.