Non-invasive ultrasonic diagnosis of urinary Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO)

From a clinical point of view, a simple and non-invasive measurement device
that objectively grades and localizes urethral obstruction in one voiding would
be a major breakthrough. Such a device would significantly lower the threshold
for urodynamic testing in the increasing aging male patient population.

To study in a small group of male volunteers the feasibility of estimating
urinary flow velocity and turbulence caused by obstruction using rf ultrasound.
Subsequently, to compare in a group of patients eligible for TURP according to
clinical criteria an invasive routinely clinically derived measure of bladder
outlet obstruction (BOOI, URA, slope of PURR) with criteria derived from the
noninvasive rf ultrasound analysis. Finally to compare the results calculated
from raw ultrasound data between the healthy volunteers and the obstructed
patients.

This is a prospective, observational, exploratorive, pilot study.

There are no benefits and risks expected. The burden is minimal and consists of
one or two non-invasive urodynamic measurements during one visit to Erasmus MC
for the patient group. The healthy male volunteers group will exist of students
and staff members of Erasmus MC. They will be asked to void a maximal number of
10 times, which means they have to come by maximal 10 times. Visits for this
population will be planned on days on which the volunteers will already be
present at Erasmus MC, so they don*t have tpo come to Erasmus MC especially for
a study visit. Also both groups will be asked to fill out a questionnaire
regarding lower urinary tract symptoms (the IPSS questionnaire) once. In case
of incidental medical findings, the participant will be advised to visit a
physician.