Seminal vesicles. Imaging and intervention using transrectal ultrasound

Abstract

The seminal vesicles are difficult to evaluate clinically. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has only recently allowed adequate assessment of these structures and their disorders. As the use of TRUS increases, radiologists must familiarize themselves with diseases of the seminal vesicles and the normal and abnormal appearance at ultrasound. This paper presents four cases illustrating the uncommon disorders that TRUS can demonstrate in the seminal vesicles: ectopic ureter entering the seminal vesicle, symmetrically enlarged seminal vesicles with male infertility, a pelvic arteriovenous malformation mimicking a seminal vesicle cyst, and tuberculosis. In two patients, TRUS was used to guide needle aspiration of seminal vesicle contents safely and to inject contrast for radiography.