Use of transrectal ultrasound in detection of prostatic carcinoma: a preliminary report.

Three hundred twenty patients who were asymptomatic males aged 55-70 years, were evaluated with transrectal ultrasound in both the axial and sagittal projections to evaluate the efficacy of transrectal ultrasound in detecting early prostatic carcinoma. Thirteen patients had palpable nodules that were positive for prostatic carcinoma, and ten patients had normal rectal examinations but ultrasound abnormalities, which were confirmed with prostate biopsy positive for prostatic carcinoma. This preliminary report points to certain advantages of this screening procedure, but conclusions as to its efficacy must await the results of more extensive trials.