The role of endorectal coil MRI in patient selection and treatment planning for prostate seed implants.

Purpose: To assess the role of endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging for patients undergoing seed implantation (SI) with or without external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Materials And Methods: Between October 1994 and December 1998, 390 patients underwent prostate SI (98% Pd-103, 2% I-125). Seventy-six percent of patients had a prostate serum antigen (PSA) < 10, 17% had PSA of 10-20, and 7% of patients had PSA of > 20.

Natural history of benign prostatic hypertrophy and acute urinary retention.

Twenty-six patients with prostatism due to benign prostatic hypertrophy were evaluated prospectively every three to six months for three years. Using both subjective and objective criteria significant deterioration was demonstrated. The rate of deterioration appeared independent of prostatic size.