Chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the prostate gland.
Under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) classification system this may encompass
- chronic bacterial prostatitis
- chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
Other forms include
Pathology
Chronic prostatitis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the gland with extracellular fluid surrounding the prostatic cells and stromal infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells particularly lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis may result from undertreated acute prostatitis and recurrent infection, but can also occur without prior history in older men with lower urinary tract obstruction.
Radiographic features
MRI
- ADC: can give low ADC values due to destruction of the prostate gland leading to a decrease in the water diffusion capability
- DWI: degree of diffusion restriction in chronic prostatitis tends to be less than in prostate carcinoma
See also
