[Tridimensional ultrasound of the prostate].

Objectives: To present the examination technique of grayscale tridimensional transrectal prostatic ultrasound and its clinical viability. To define the ultrasonographic patterns and to report the clinical experience of our group.

Methods: We analyze selected exams from a database of more than 600 digitally stored tridimensional transrectal prostatic ultrasounds performed with a robotic probe.

[Cost-effectiveness of ultrasound in a urology department].

Ultrasonography has demonstrated to be a precise test with high sensitivity and specificity. The urologist is the most capable professional to obtain the maximum effectiveness of this technique, so that the availability of ultrasound machines in urology departments rationalizes and limits the demand of ultrasound tests, diminishes significantly the indication of radiological tests and the number of cystoscopies, being an indispensable element in high-resolution office consultations. We report the statistics of the use of ultrasound in our department, with the disappearance of the demand of ultrasound tests from the urology outpatient clinic to the radiology department.