(HIFU / FUS) High intensity focused ultrasound is used in thermotherapy or thermoablation e.g., for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia or under study for the treatment of cancer.
An applied ultrasound probe (see transrectal sonography) focuses sound waves at one spot, elevating the tissue temperature to a point that the tissue destroys. Generally, lower frequencies (from 250 kHz to 2000 kHz) are used than for medical diagnostic ultrasound, but significantly higher time-averaged intensities.

See also Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound, Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound, and Lithotripsy.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland surrounding the beginning of the urethra in front of the rectum and below the bladder. The prostate can become enlarged (particularly in men over age 50) and develop diseases like prostate cancer or inflammation (prostatitis). A large tumor can be felt by a rectal examination. The most effective way of detecting the early signs of prostate cancer is a combination of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a prostate ultrasound examination.
An abnormally high level of PSA can indicate prostate cancer or other prostate diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy or prostatitis. The transrectal sonography is an important diagnostic ultrasound procedure in determining whether there is any benign enlargement of the prostate or any abnormal nodules.
The imaging is performed with a rectal probe, yielding high resolution. High resolution 3D ultrasound provides reliable and accurate determination of the size and the location of cancer. Additionally, ultrasound elastography is a technique in development to improve the specificity and sensitivity of cancer detection. Ultrasound is also used to detect whether cancerous tissue is still only within the prostate or whether it has begun to spread out and to guide a diagnostic biopsy or ultrasound therapy.

See also Brachytherapy, and High Intensity Focused Ultrasound.

Urologic ultrasound includes the examination of the kidneys, renal vessels, urinary tract, bladder, prostate, and scrotum.
Usual gray scale ultrasound equipment and standard probes are sufficient to examine the kidney parenchyma and renal pelvis, the urinary tract and bladder. Doppler ultrasound is a useful adjunct to kidney ultrasound. High ultrasound system performance is desirable to show the arterial system, because advanced power Doppler is significantly more sensitive to blood flow than standard color Doppler.
Transurethral sonography may be used to examine the bladder and urethra. Transrectal sonography is used to scan and treat the prostate e.g., with brachytherapy or high intensity focused ultrasound. Very small probes are used for these applications. Reflux sonography is especially used in pediatric ultrasound.

See also Ultrasound Imaging Procedures, Ultrasound Picture, Ultrasound Imaging Modes, Lithotripsy, Thermotherapy, Brachytherapy and Ultrasound Therapy.

The array of elements of microconvex probe is curved with a certain radius. Microconvex probes have a much smaller contact surface, which improves the coupling between the transducer and the skin surface even in complicated areas as the supraclavicular or jugular fossa. Microconvex probes, with large aperture and selection of transmission frequencies are also used in gynecological diagnostic.

See also Transvaginal Echography, Endocavitary Echography and Transrectal Ultrasonography.

The usual applications of endocavitary echography (also called internal echography / endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)) are examinations of the pelvic organs through internally introduced probes, which give a more precise and correct image.
Transrectal ultrasound is a well established method for rectal or prostate carcinoma assessment.
A transvaginal echography uses a small transducer that is inserted directly into the vagina.
Used are high-frequency (10-12 MHz) for superficial organs, endocavitary echography, and intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound. A sterile cover is slipped over the probe, which is then covered with lubricating ultrasound gel and placed in the cavitary (see Equipment Preparation).

See also Endoscopic Ultrasound, Prostate Ultrasound, Interventional Ultrasound, Transurethral Sonography, Vaginal Probe, Rectal Probe.