Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is widely used in the diagnosis of conditions such as prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate adenoma. At the Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic, modern ultrasound machines are used that allow for informative imaging with high resolution, enabling quick and accurate diagnosis.
The TRUS procedure performed at the Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center is characterized by minimal discomfort and surpasses several high-tech research methods (such as tomography) in terms of informativeness. Two main reasons why most patients prefer to undergo transrectal ultrasound in Israel are reviews and prices. Reviews of the procedure are very positive; patients do not experience any unpleasant sensations after TRUS and can immediately return to their usual activities. Of course, an important factor that leads many to undergo transrectal ultrasound in Israel is the cost of the examination. In Israeli clinics, the cost of TRUS is significantly lower than in European countries and the USA.
TRUS in Israel: Procedure Methodology
Transrectal ultrasound is an ultrasound examination of the prostate aimed at determining the causes of difficulties in urination, abnormal urine test results, and other signs of prostate disease. TRUS is also used to examine nodules detected during a digital rectal exam and to identify benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive method of examination, and the ultrasound procedure does not require any special preparation from the patient and is completely painless. According to the World Health Organization, ultrasound examinations are recognized as completely safe, which is confirmed by the fact that ultrasound is widely used during pregnancy to monitor fetal development.
To obtain a quality image of the prostate during the TRUS procedure, a special small-sized ultrasound probe is inserted rectally to a shallow depth. The contact of the probe with the patient's body is ensured by the use of a special gel. The ultrasound waves generated by the probe are reflected from the body's tissues, allowing them to be visually reproduced on the monitor. Since the image is formed in real-time, this allows the doctor to examine all the nuances of the prostate's condition and diagnose conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, various types of tumors, urethral stricture, and more.
The patient lies on their side with their knees drawn up to their abdomen. The examination usually takes 20-30 minutes, and upon completion, the doctor conducts a final interpretation of the results, analyzing the contours of the gland, its structure, size, and volume. The informativeness of the obtained images often surpasses even high-precision imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The informativeness of the procedure is ensured by the fact that the examined gland is in close proximity to the ultrasound probe, allowing the use of high-frequency ultrasound—around 15 megahertz—and producing high-resolution images.
In some cases, TRUS is used as a visualization method during prostate biopsy. While observing the data on the monitor, the doctor inserts a needle into different areas of the prostate and collects a biopsy sample for analysis.
Notably, ultrasound can be used not only for diagnosing malignant tumors of the prostate but also for their treatment. For this, the ultrasound probe is also inserted rectally and generates waves at a frequency of 3-4 megahertz, which heats the tumor tissue to 75-99°C, leading to its necrosis. This procedure is called transrectal HIFU (High-intensity focused ultrasound).
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Transrectal Ultrasound in Israel: Reviews and Prices
One reason many foreign tourists prefer to undergo transrectal ultrasound in Israel is the cost of the procedure. Modern ultrasound diagnostic machines are quite expensive. They allow for not only classic transrectal ultrasound but also sonoelastography, duplex scanning, and other types of ultrasound examinations. Therefore, the cost of such examinations in European and American clinics is quite high.
In Israeli medical centers, however, TRUS costs 20-30% less than in Europe and 40-50% less than in the USA.
- Prostate Cancer
Transrectal Ultrasound in Israel: Advantages of Diagnosis at Ichilov (Sourasky)
- TRUS is an accessible, easy-to-use, and simultaneously less expensive method of examination compared to CT or MRI.
- No ionizing radiation is used during the ultrasound, unlike in radiography.
- Ultrasound scanning provides a clearer and more accurate picture of the condition of soft tissues compared to other imaging methods.
- Ultrasound does not harm the body, and the TRUS procedure can be repeated as many times as the doctor deems necessary.
- Ultrasound allows for real-time monitoring of the condition of the examined organ (in this case, the prostate).
Transrectal ultrasound at the Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center can be performed using modern duplex scanning, three-dimensional reconstruction, and sonoelastography methods. In duplex scanning mode, the ultrasound diagnostic machine allows for the assessment of blood flow and the condition of blood vessels, thereby identifying areas of inflammation in the prostate. Three-dimensional reconstruction allows for studying the position of the prostate relative to other organs, while sonoelastographic examination is used for the early diagnosis of oncological lesions of the prostate. In the latter case, the elasticity of the tissues is analyzed, as precancerous tissue conditions are typically characterized by increased stiffness.