Ultrasound-Estimated Bladder Weight Predicts Risk of Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Men Using α-Adrenoceptor Blocker for LUTS

ObjectivesAlthough invasive and expensive, the pressure-flow study is known as the reference standard for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction. We investigated the usefulness of ultrasound-estimated bladder weight (UEBW) as a predictor of the need for surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).MethodsA total of 97 consecutive male patients >50 years old with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were prospectively enrolled in this study. The surgery rate was correlated with the UEBW, the results of uroflowmetry, the postvoid residual urine volume, prostate volume, and International Prostate Symptom Score.ResultsSurgery for BPH was performed in 37 of the 97 patients studied. The surgery rate was associated with a high UEBW (≥35 g), severe LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score of ≥20), a voided volume of <100 mL at free uroflowmetry, and poor uroflow (maximal flow rate of <10 mL/s). Multivariate analysis revealed that severe LUTS and a high UEBW were the risk factors for surgery for BPH.ConclusionsThe results of our study have shown that the UEBW can be regarded as a useful parameter to identify patients with LUTS who are at risk of needing surgery for BPH.