ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the measurement of intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) by transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) in the diagnosis of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We studied the clinical data of 109 BPH patients referred for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from April 2005 to December 2006. IPP was measured by TAUS, urodynamic parameters such as Qmax and PdetQmax obtained by urodynamic studies and AG values calculated. The patients were divided into an obstruction and a non-obstruction group according to their AG values.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IPP was found statistically different between the obstruction and non-obstruction groups (P<0.001) and positively correlated with the AG value (r=0.729, P=0.001). With the cutoff at IPP > or = 10 mm for the diagnosis of BPO, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the diagnosis were 89.9%, 97.5% and 92.7%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The measurement of IPP by TAUS offers a valuable help for the diagnosis of BPO.</p>