Magnetic resonance imaging in hemospermia.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the prostate and seminal tract with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with hemospermia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the prostate and seminal tract in 17 patients 20 to 59 years old (mean age 44) with hemospermia we performed transrectal ultrasound and MRI using an endorectal surface coil with a 1.5 tesla unit. Mean duration of hemospermia was 32 months (1 week to 16 years).

RESULTS: Abnormalities were noted on transrectal ultrasound in 15 of the 17 patients (88%) and on MRI in all. Of the 12 cases of hemorrhage 10 involved the seminal vesicle and 2 involved the ejaculatory duct. There were 12 cystic lesions, including 7 in the müllerian and 5 in the ejaculatory ducts. Of 19 cases calculi were detected in the prostate in 5, seminal vesicle in 8, and ejaculatory and müllerian duct cysts in 4 and 2, respectively. There was 1 case of prostatic atrophy and 1 wolffian duct anomaly associated with an ejaculatory duct cyst, ectopic ureterocele and absence of the left kidney.

CONCLUSIONS: MRI with an endorectal surface coil is a powerful modality for evaluating the seminal tracts of patients with hemospermia. It can be performed clinically when transrectal ultrasonography is not satisfactory.