Digital Rectal Examination
Definition
The digital rectal examination (DRE) is a routine part of the physical examination and includes manual examination of the rectum, anus and, in men, the prostate.
Purpose
The purpose of the digital rectal examination is to identify lesions within the rectum and the prostate. It is the most widely used and oldest technique for the detection of prostate cancer and is used in screening for colon cancer and for the detection of rectal polyps.
Description
Usually the patient is positioned on the left side with the knees close to the chest. Sometimes the...
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