[Quantitative morphometry of hyperplastic hypoechoic nodules in the prostatic outer gland].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the morphotic characteristics of hypoechoic nodules in the outer gland of the prostate with benign METHODS: Twenty-two hyperplastic hypoechoic nodules in the prostatic outer gland were biopsied guided by prostatic hyperplasia. transrectal ultrasound. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry combined with computer assisted quantitative image analyses were adopted to examine the mean percentages of the area densities of stroma, epithelium, glandular lumen and smooth muscle cells. RESULTS: The area densities of stroma, epithelium, glandular lumen and smooth muscle cells were (72.52 +/- 13.14)%, (20.57 +/- 9.01)%, (6.85 +/- 4.51)% and (24.14 +/- 6.31)%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hyperplastic hypoechoic nodules may develop in the outer gland as well as in the inner gland of the prostate, but the mean percentages of the components are different between the two kinds of nodules.