DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF ULTRASONICALLY GUIDED PUNCTURE FOR THE SEMINAL VESICLES

Abstract

A new puncture system for the seminal vesicles using the transrectal real-time linear scanner was developed recently in our laboratory. With this system, perineal puncture for the seminal vesicles can be performed under direct monitoring with real-time ultrasound. The puncture made possible various kinds of examination and therapy for the seminal vesicles such as bacteriological, cytological and chemical analysis of the aspirated fluid, drug injection and so on.
Between Jan. 1981 and June 1984, the method was applied to 65 cases with diseases of the seminal vesicles at our clinic. Of the 65, 53 were seminal vesiculitis, 5 were hemospermia, 5 were prostatic cancer and 2 were others. In the present study, it was clarified that the following items would be possible applications of the method:
1) Obtaining the fluid of the seminal vesicles.
i) Physiologic study on the seminal vesicles by analizing the fluid.
ii) Patho-Physiologic study on hematospermia and seminal vesiculitis.
iii) Diagnosis of prostatic cancer invasion into the seminal vesicles by cytologic study of the aspirated fluid.
2) Direct drug injection into the seminal vesicles.
i) Therapy of seminal vesiculitis and hemospermia.
ii) Seminal vesiculography.
Both laboratory and clinical experiences strongly suggested that this direct puncture method would be a new diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the seminal vesicles in the near future.