Abnormal Digital Rectal Examination

Abstract

Despite advances in imaging techniques, and evaluation of blood and urine markers, the digital rectal examination (DRE) remains a cornerstone of the urological assessment. Barriers to effective DRE remain embarrassment (of both the patient, and the clinician), lack of thorough assessment (the “nominal” examination), and a lack of experience causes misinterpretation of results. An abnormal DRE almost always requires further investigation.