ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the ability of MR imaging with an endorectal surface coil for the depiction of noraml anatomical structure of prostate and its adjacent organs. MATERIALS AND METHOD: MR imaging using an endorectal surface coil was performed in 23 male patients (age;20-75) to evaluate various prostatic and vasovesicular disorders, i.e., 14 cases of ejaculatory problems, 3 cases of hypogonadism, and 4 cases of prostatic cancers and 2 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MR images were obtained with axial, sagittal and coronal fast spin echo long TR/TE images and axial spin echo short TR/TE images. Field of views was 10--12 cm and scan thickness was3--5 mm. RESULTS: Depiction of normal anatomcial structures was excellent in all cases. On T2WI, zonal anatomy of the prostate and prostatic urethra, urethral crest, and ejaculatory duct were cleary visualized. On T1WI, periprostatic fat plane is more cleary visualized.