State-of-the-Art Diagnostics for Optimal Treatment Results
At our urological clinic in Düsseldorf, we rely on a comprehensive diagnostic concept that combines the latest technologies. Multiparametric prostate MRI, MRI fusion biopsy, the PSMA-PET scan, and high-resolution ultrasound enable precise treatment planning at the highest level.
A particularly innovative building block of our diagnostic spectrum is micro-ultrasound, an advanced method that markedly improves the early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.
What Makes Micro-Ultrasound Special?
Micro-ultrasound is a further development of classical ultrasound and offers a markedly higher resolution. Whereas standard devices operate at 5 to 9 MHz, micro-ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves of up to 29 MHz. This produces up to seven times better image resolution.
This allows the depiction of even the finest tissue structures and of the microarchitecture of the prostate. In this way, even the smallest tissue changes can be detected that are difficult to see with conventional ultrasound or even on MRI.
Application in Practice
Micro-ultrasound offers diverse possible applications in urology:
- Clarification in cases of suspected prostate carcinoma, e.g. with an elevated PSA value or a suspicious palpation finding
- Targeted prostate biopsies: suspicious areas can be targeted with pinpoint accuracy
- Fusion with MRI images: MRI scans can be fused just as with other systems; in addition, however, suspicious areas that are not visible on MRI can be depicted and biopsied.
- Alternative or supplement to MRI: especially when an MRI is not possible or difficult to access
Would you like to discuss your findings or find out which further diagnostic tests may be appropriate for you?
Advantages for Patients
For our patients, the use of micro-ultrasound brings numerous advantages: The diagnosis is faster, since there are no long MRI waiting times. Biopsies can be carried out more gently and more precisely, because the suspicious areas are marked exactly and biopsied with pinpoint accuracy. In addition, no contrast agent is necessary, and in many cases the examination can be carried out on an outpatient basis.
Current studies show that micro-ultrasound delivers results comparable to MRI, while at the same time offering better availability and lower costs. It thus represents a promising future technology in urology.
Technology & Expertise: the Ideal Combination
As innovative as the technology is, the experience of the urologist remains decisive for the quality of the diagnosis. In the next section we introduce you to the special expertise of Dr. Witt, who uses micro-ultrasound in combination with state-of-the-art imaging methods to ensure individually optimal diagnostics and treatment planning for every patient.