Ultrasound in the evaluation of urethral stricture disease: a prospective study in 175 patients

Objective To investigate the characteristic ultrasonic appearance of urethral stricture disease in men. Patients and methods Between 1990 and 1992 a prospective study in 175 men with the suspicion of urethral stricture was performed using urethral ultrasound as the first diagnostic procedure, followed by retrograde urethrography, voiding cystourethrography or urethroscopy. Results The sensitivity and specificity in detecting urethral strictures were 98% and 96% respectively. UItrasound offers a three-dimensional study in the evaluation of the urethra without exposing the gonads to ionizing radiation. The exact length and depth of the stricture, the severity of the strictured segment as well as the anatomy of the periurethral scars were diagnosed accurately. Conclusion Ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and rapid investigation of the urethra which requires no exposure of the patient to ionizing radiation and should be the preferred diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of strictures in the anterior urethra in men.