{"id":2450,"date":"2024-09-16T11:34:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T11:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/exames\/prostate-ultrasound"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:05:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:05:41","slug":"prostate-ultrasound","status":"publish","type":"exames","link":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/ultrasound\/prostate-ultrasound","title":{"rendered":"Prostate ultrasound"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound is a key imaging exam used to assess the prostate and support the diagnosis of various urological diseases. It is simple, quick and safe, allowing evaluation of the prostate gland and associated structures such as the bladder and seminal vesicles. It can be performed via the suprapubic route or by an endocavitary (transrectal) approach, the latter providing the greatest level of detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What is a Prostate Ultrasound and what is it for?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves emitted by a probe, which travel through the tissues and are reflected, forming real-time images of the region being examined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At X-Clinic, ultrasounds are performed with the latest technology, using high-end High-Resolution Digital Ultrasound equipment, including three-dimensional technology and real-time 3D visualization \u2013 4D, Color Doppler, and panoramic imaging. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound is painless, harmless and non-invasive, and is generally used to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess the size, shape and structure of the prostate;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify signs of benign enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for inflammation (prostatitis) and infectious changes;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detect lesions suspicious for prostate cancer;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess the seminal vesicles, identifying cysts or nodules;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate bladder emptying and measure post-void residual urine.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How much does a Prostate Ultrasound cost?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The price of a prostate ultrasound is \u20ac60 on a private basis. However, X-Clinic has the following agreements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADSE (the patient only pays the co-payment of \u20ac7 a \u20ac8), ADM GNR, SAD PSP;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insurance companies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> M\u00e9dis, Multicare, Advance Care, Allianz, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, SS CGD, SAMS Quadros, SAMS, Montepio, RNA, Generali, Mudum, MGEN, Aegon, Vit\u00f3ria, Una Seguros, other insurers;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health Plans:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Medicare, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, Continente Wells, ACP, other health plans. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final price varies depending on the healthcare system or insurance you wish to use.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How is it performed?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound can be performed in two ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/ultrasound\/suprapubic-prostate-ultrasound\">Suprapubic Prostate Ultrasound<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the probe is placed on the skin of the lower abdomen after applying gel. This allows assessment of the prostate volume, its overall morphology and analysis of the bladder, including post-void residual urine (urine that remains after urinating). However, it provides less detail about the internal structure of the gland.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/ultrasound\/transrectal-prostate-ultrasound\">Endocavitary (transrectal) Prostate Ultrasound<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the patient lies on their side with legs flexed, and a thin probe is introduced into the rectum. This method may cause slight discomfort but is not painful. It is the most accurate exam for assessing the prostate, allowing detailed evaluation of its texture, capsule and any suspicious lesions, as well as changes in the seminal vesicles.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both techniques are quick, lasting only a few minutes, depending on the complexity of the study.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1664 size-full\" title=\"Gynecological - Pelvic Ultrasound\" src=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-ginecologica-pelvica.jpg\" alt=\"Prostate ultrasound\" width=\"1204\" height=\"738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-ginecologica-pelvica.jpg 1204w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-ginecologica-pelvica-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-ginecologica-pelvica-1024x628.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-ginecologica-pelvica-768x471.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1204px) 100vw, 1204px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>What does it detect?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound is essential for identifying different prostate conditions. It allows diagnosis of benign prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), detection of signs of inflammation (prostatitis) and visualization of lesions suspicious for prostate cancer. It also enables assessment of the seminal vesicles, revealing cysts or nodules, and evaluation of the bladder, particularly its capacity and the volume of residual urine after voiding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This exam is frequently used in the follow-up of patients with urinary complaints, in the monitoring of known abnormalities and to support the decision on whether a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/prostate-biopsy\">prostate biopsy<\/a> is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>In which cases is it indicated?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate ultrasound may be recommended in several clinical situations, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urinary symptoms (difficulty urinating, weak stream, urgency or increased frequency);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suspected benign prostatic hyperplasia;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigation of prostatitis (inflammation or infection);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screening for or suspicion of prostate cancer;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presence of blood in the urine or semen;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assessment of male infertility;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post-surgical follow-up or after prostate biopsy;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Measurement of post-void residual urine in the bladder;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among others.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Preparing for a Prostate Ultrasound<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation varies depending on the technique used:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Preparation for Endocavitary (Transrectal) Prostate Ultrasound<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before a transrectal prostate ultrasound, you should perform <\/span><b>rectal cleansing with a micro-enema<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to medical advice, to make the procedure easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Preparation for Suprapubic Prostate Ultrasound<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For suprapubic prostate ultrasound, you should drink 1 litre of water one hour before the exam and avoid urinating, to ensure the bladder is full.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In either case, you should bring previous exams (ultrasounds, blood tests, medical reports) and the exam prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Where to have it done?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prostate Ultrasound can be performed at <\/span><b>X-Clinic <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, n\u00ba26 &#8211; mezzanine floor, 1070-110 Lisbon) or at<\/span><b> NRD <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, n\u00ba 11-B, ground floor, 1070 &#8211; 060 Lisbon &#8211; next to Pra\u00e7a de Espanha)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3166\" src=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg\" alt=\"X-Clinic ultrasound machine\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":2554,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-2450","exames","type-exames","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/2450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/exames"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/2554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}