Early experience with high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Patients and methods The study comprised 25 patients (mean age 67 pears, range 47-84) with BPH treated using the Sonoblate HIFU device. Patients were evaluated before and after one treatment of HIFU using the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) and a quality-of-life (QOL) score, and any complications were noted. Results Five patients with large glands were withdrawn because the failure rate was high in these patients, The remaining 20 patients showed a mean improvements in the AUA symptom score (20.25 to 9.56), Qmax (9.2 to 13.7 mL/s) and QOL score (4.75 to 2.50), There were no major complications. Conclusions HIFU is safe, produces minimal side-effects or complications and relieves the symptoms of prostatism.