Elastography is an imaging technique used in prostate diagnostics. It is employed as an additional method to rule out prostate cancer. The examination is painless and carries no risks or side effects.
Here you will find further information as well as a list of selected elastography specialists and centers.
When is prostate elastography necessary?
Prostate elastography is performed in conjunction with conventional ultrasound and Doppler imaging in cases of
- unexplained elevations in PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels,
- unclear findings on digital rectal examination of the prostate,
- a previous prostate biopsy with no evidence of cancer, and
- persistent suspicion of cancer in high-risk patients undergoing screening (familial prostate cancer)
.
Significance of Prostate Elastography
The evaluation of abnormal prostate findings remains a diagnostic challenge even today. Abnormal findings might include, for example, a high PSA level or a hardened prostate on digital rectal examination.
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate has not yielded the hoped-for diagnostic breakthrough.
Prostate elastography is an additional, TRUS-based imaging technique. It improves the evaluation of suspicious prostate findings.
This type of elastography is
- not painful,
- involves no radiation exposure, and
- requires no specific preparation on the part of the patient.
How is prostate elastography performed?
The procedure does not differ significantly from a conventional TRUS. However, it takes a little longer.
The doctor first performs a conventional TRUS.
For elastography, barely perceptible pressure is applied to the prostate. A special pressure sensor in the transducer measures the elasticity of the tissue. The device then superimposes the measured values in color onto the standard ultrasound image.
This allows the doctor to detect suspicious areas of hardening that cannot be felt during a physical exam.
Does the examination carry any risks?
Prostate elastography carries no risks or side effects. No follow-up treatment is necessary after the examination.
Findings on Prostate Elastography
When combined with a TRUS and a Doppler examination, this provides a detailed picture of the prostate findings in the vast majority of cases.
If prostate cancer is suspected, a tissue sample (biopsy) must be taken from the prostate. The doctor then typically performs what is known as a randomized biopsy. To do this, he takes tissue samples more or less blindly from the areas where the cancer is most likely to be found.
Elastography can be used during the biopsy for real-time guidance. The doctor then takes the samples under direct visualization from the suspicious areas. This significantly increases the accuracy of the biopsy and thus avoids the need for repeat biopsies.
About the medical author
Sabine Schneider
Editor-in-Chief
Sabine Schneider – medical author: Explore expert articles and medical expertise in the Leading Medicine Guide.
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