TRUS (transrectal ultrasonography) is a well established method of imaging of the prostate and seminal vesicles. So how good is this method at imaging of the urinary bladder in the male patient? The answer can be seen below: This elderly male (70 years) patient had a history of chronic retention of urine due to benign hypetrophy of the prostate. He presented with severe hematuria for which routine sonography of the abdomen suggested multiple small calculi in the urinary bladder. There was also moderate enlargement of the prostate. TRUS ultrasonogaphy revealed the true nature of the calculi and their exact number and size more effectively than the transabdominal ultrasound.
The ultrasound images below show the urinary bladder to contain at least 4 to 6 stones (calculi) each of 4 to 7 mm. size. A precise evaluation of the size of the prostate and the degree of intravesical enlargement is also possible on Transrectal ultrasound study (see image below).
The conclusion - transrectal ultrasound imaging is an excellent tool to image small urinary bladder stones that may be hidden from view or inadequately visualized on routine transabdominal ultrasound.
For more on urinary bladder ultrasound see:
http://www.ultrasound-images.com/urinary-bladder.htm
