Nonspecific granulomatous prostatis (PGA): Diagnosis and follow-up

A series of 22 cases of nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis (NGP) is presented. Patients were seen between 1976 and 1990. In 8 cases the clinical picture upon presentation was that of an acute inflammatory process of the lower urinary tract; 10 patients had obstructive symptoms from prostatic enlargement; in 4 cases NGP was an incidental clinical finding. In 19 out of 22 patients rectal examination led to suspect prostatic cancer, and prostatic biopsy was necessary for diagnosis. On the whole, 13 patients were followed for 1-15 years after initial diagnosis (mean: 5 years). In 12 out of 13 cases, rectal examination was found to be normal during follow-up. One patient was submitted to a second prostatic biopsy 11 years after the initial evaluation: diagnosis of NGP was confirmed. In 7 cases, transrectal ultrasound was part of the diagnostic evaluation; additionally, 10 patients had one or more ultrasound examinations during follow-up. Ultrasonographic features were aspecific in all instances, and did not provide conclusive diagnostic information.