Clinical correlation of prostatic lithiasis with chronic pelvic pain syndromes in young adults

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence, morphology and clinical presentation of prostatic calculi in a selected population of young adults and to examine any possible correlation with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CP/CPPS).

Methods: A population of 1374 young adults was screened with ultrasound imaging of the prostate and 101 cases with prostatic lithiasis were selected. Patients were divided in two groups, according to the type of prostatic calculi (type A: small, multiple or type B: larger, coarser calculi). Further evaluation included history and physical examination, recording of lower urinary tract symptoms and the Meares-Stamey test.

Results: Calculi were type A in 71.3% and type B in 28.7% of cases. Localization (central/periurethral) was not correlated with other parameters. Age was closely related to calculus burden ( p =0.034 ). Type B calculi were more often associated with symptoms and chronic prostatitis/CPPS (chi(2)-test, p=0.007 and 0.018 respectively).

Conclusions: Small, multiple calcifications are a normal, often incidental ultrasonographic finding in the prostate and represent a result of age rather than a pathologic entity. However, larger prostatic calculi may be related to underlying inflammation and require further evaluation and possibly, treatment.