Digital rectal examination is a simple procedure performed
by the health practitioner to detect any abnormalities in
the lower rectum, the surrounding organs in the lower
abdomen and the pelvis. The health practitioner uses a
lubricated, gloved finger to feel for swelling, nodularity,
fissures and other abnormalities.
The
attending health practitioner often begins the examination with a visual
inspection of the genital and the anal regions for excoriations,
fissures, swellings, blood and other visible abnormalities. He then ask
the patient to assume the appropriate position, he then gently glides
his gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum, feeling for swellings,
consistency and tenderness. During the rectal examination, the doctor
may also collect stool sample to test for blood in the stool.
If the rectal examination reveals a swollen, tender and boggy prostate, the problem is most likely prostatitis.
Prostate carcinoma often present with characteristic findings of
hard, irregular and nodular tissue. But indurations may also occur in benign prostatic hyperplasia, or focal infarcts in the prostate.
. Extensions of the prostatic tissue
into the seminal vesicles in some cases of prostate cancer can often be
detected in rectal examination. But, not all problems of the prostate can be felt through
the rectum.
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