Of 41 male patients with proven blunt urethral injury over a thirteen year period at a major trauma centre, only one had an abnormal prostate on digital rectal examination (DRE). Meatal blood and haematuria prior to catheterisation were more common findings (8 and 7 patients, respectively). All patients had haematuria after catheter insertion. In blunt urethral injuries, DRE has very low sensitivity.
Traumatic urethral injuries: Does the digital rectal examination really help us?
Injury. 2009 Sep;40(9):984-6