A New Tool for Assessing Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Objective: Assessing the role of transrectal Doppler ultrasound in estimating degree of bladder outlet obstruction, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: Fifty two patients aged from 55 to 70with the clinical diagnosis of BPH were recruited. Patients with cancer prostate, neurogenic bladder, previous lower urinary tract intervention, were excluded. Urologic evaluation included, thorough history, IPSS, neurologic examination, digital rectal examination, urine analysis, PSA, uroflowmetry, transrectal doppler ultrasonography. The correlations were analysed between the resistive index of prostatic capsular artery, and maximum flow rate (Qmax). Results: A significant increase in RI correlated to decrease in Qmax (r= -0.398, p<0.016) was found. Also there was significant increase in RI correlated to increase in IPSS (r=0.535, p<0.001). AS regard Qmax, there was significant decrease in Qmax correlated to increase in IPSS (r=-0.654, p<0.001). Conclusion: Transrectal Doppler can be used as a tool to measure degree of bladder outlet obstruction, through measuring resistive index of prostatic capsular artery.