Computer analysis of transrectal ultrasound images of the prostate for the detection of carcinoma: a prospective study in radical prostatectomy specimens.

PURPOSE The reliability and objectivity of computer assisted transrectal ultrasound are examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pathological examination of radical prostatectomy specimens was compared prospectively to automated cancer detection in corresponding transrectal ultrasound images. RESULTS For automated cancer detection, a sensitivity of 0.75 and a specificity of 0.78 were obtained. Moreover, 74% of human interpretation of the percentage of malignancy in the analyzed images was equal to the actual calculated percentage (Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient 0.85). CONCLUSIONS Comparing these results to those obtained with normal transrectal ultrasound, automated analysis provides additional information in the interpretation of transrectal ultrasound images by color coding them in an objective manner according to the probability of malignancy.