Sonourethrography was done in 5 normsl young male volunteers and 25 patients who complained lower urinary tract obstructive or leakage symptoms during recent two & a half years since Jan. 1989 in the department of diagnostic radiology in Chungnam National University Hospital. All patients also underwent conventional retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. Findings of so-nourethrography of longitudinal and transverse scan of ventral surface of the penis and scrotum using 7.5 or 10 MHz linear array or convex transducer were as diagnostic as, or more diagnostic than those of retrograde urethrography. Stricture length and thickness measured by each modality was compared with those measured at open urethroplasty in 2 patients, and sonourography enabled classification of degree of spongiofibrosis, thus provided guidance of internal urethrotomy in 19 patients. Sonourethrography identified the urethral polyp & stone and periurethral tumor more definitely than retrograde urethrography. By sagittal transrectal ultrasonography of 5MHz linear array probe with retrograde saline infusion into the urethra, the posterior urethra could be evaluated as well.
Sonourethrography provides valuable, dynamic, three-dimensional information about luminal and extraluminal anatomy and pathology of the urethra, so the diagnostic value is usually higher than retrograde urethrography and the clinical application will be extended widely.
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