Complication rates of transrectal and transperineal prostate fusion biopsies - is there a learning curve even in high volume interventional center?

PURPOSE: To analyze the learning curve regarding complication rates of transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) versus transperineal prostate biopsy (TPPB), using real time software-based magnetic resonance imaging ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion techniques, along with first year experience of transperineal approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: retrospective unicentric cohort study at a quaternary care hospital. Medical records of all consecutive patients that underwent TPPB between March 2021 and February 2022, after the introduction of MRI-US fusion device, and those who underwent TRPB throughout the entire years of 2019 and 2020 were analyzed. All complications that occurred as consequences of the procedure were considered. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared and Fisher tests were used to describe complications and compare the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 283 patients were included in the transperineal group and 513 in the transrectal group. The analysis of a learning curve for the transperineal method showed lower complications rates comparing the first six months of TPPB procedures (group 1); The complication rate for TPPB was lower than that of TRPB (55.1% versus 81.9%, respectively; p<0.01). TPPB showed specifically lower rates of hematuria (48.8% versus 66.3%;p<0.001) and rectal bleeding(3.5% versus 18.1%; p<0.001). There were no cases of prostatitis after transperineal biopsies and three cases (0.6%) after transrectal procedures. CONCLUSIONS: We evidenced the learning curve for performing the transperineal biopsy, with a lower rate of complications for the experienced team, after 142 cases after 6 months of practice. The lower complication rate of TPPB and the absence of infectious prostatitis imply a safer procedure when compared to TRPB.

Is a sampling transition zone important to increase the detection of prostate cancer in systematic prostatic biopsies?

BACKGROUND: Use of transrectal ultrasound (US)-guided biopsies improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal exam (DRE). PURPOSE: To investigate whether taking two transition zone (TZ) biopsies in addition to routine prostate double-sextant biopsies (12-cores) would improve detection rates of prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1107 in a single institution database after Institutional Review Board approval, which underwent US-guided prostate biopsies from January 2014 to June 2016. All patients with suspected PCa based on positive DRE or high PSA submitted to US-guided prostate biopsy (double-sextant 12-cores alone and 12-cores with two TZ extra cores) were included. RESULTS: A total of 1107 patients were included; 120 patients underwent double-sextant 12-cores alone and 987 underwent 12-cores with two TZ extra cores. Among patients submitted to two TZ extra cores, TZs of 755 (76.5%) patients were negative to neoplasia and 232 (23.5%) were positive to neoplasia. Among these patients, 26 (2.6%) had their final Gleason score increased with TZ core; TZ fragments of 20 (2.0%) patients led to a treatment change (re biopsy, active surveillance or from active surveillance to radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy). When the complication rate is analyzed (with or without hospital admission), among the patients submitted to TZ cores, 259 (26.2%) complications were observed; between those submitted to double-sextant 12-cores, 26 (21.7%) complications were observed (P=0.279). CONCLUSION: Extended core biopsy protocol with two TZ extra fragments improves detection rates of cancer when compared to double-sextant biopsy protocol without increasing complication rates. TZ routine cores should be considered.

Comparison of complications rates between multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion and systematic TRUS prostatic biopsies.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates between transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) systematic prostate biopsy and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study, institutional review board approved. Systematic TRUS and MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy complication rates were compared in 967 men. A total of 319 patients were received systematic TRUS prostate biopsy and 648 patients underwent systematic TRUS + MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy. Complications were divided into immediate (those that occurred during the hospital observation period) and late (those that occurred within 5 days after biopsy). RESULTS: Seventeen complications were observed in patients who received either a systematic prostate biopsy or MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy. Severe complications were not observed in both groups. Among patients who underwent systematic prostate biopsy, 6 (1.9%) cases of complications were observed and between those who received MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy 11 (1.7%) cases of complications after the procedure (p = 0.873) were observed, with no statistical difference between groups. Also, no statistical differences between early and late complication groups (p > 0.999) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rates were low in both groups, with no critical clinical outcomes and no significant difference of complication rates between systematic TRUS prostate biopsy and MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy techniques.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodule smaller than 1.0 cm: accuracy of TIRADS classification system in more than 1000 nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether or not the same ultrasound features can be applied and should be considered to support the decision as to which subcentimeter nodules should be biopsied with fine needle aspiration (FNAB). METHODS: Single-institution, IRB approved, retrospective study conducted from 2008 to 2016 that evaluated 1094 thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm that were classified according to TIRADS and submitted for FNAB. RESULTS: The value of FNAB of thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm were assessed and correlated with the sonographic criteria by comparing the obtained results with the cytological findings in 1094 thyroid nodules. In the analysis considering all nodules, the proportion of malignancies among nodules with TIRADS 2 is 0.91% and for TIRADS 3 is 2.87%. Among those classified as 4A, 12.26%; with 4B classification, 34.43%; with 4C classification, 66.6%; and among those with 5 classifications, 85.7%. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the TIRADS classification system, based on the sonographic features reported herein, may help detect which nodules should be investigated for potential malignancies. Advances in knowledge: Few reports compare the efficacy of ultrasound-FNAB for thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm in diameter. The findings of malignancy in this subgroup of nodules may help in the clinical follow-up of which patients should be submitted to an early imaging evaluation or intervention.

Incremental diagnostic value of targeted biopsy using mpMRI-TRUS fusion versus 14-fragments prostatic biopsy: a prospective controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incremental diagnostic value of targeted biopsy using real-time multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound (mpMRI-TRUS) fusion to conventional 14-cores biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Uni-institutional, institutional review board (IRB) approved prospective blinded study comparing TRUS-guided random and targeted biopsy using mpMRI-TRUS fusion, in 100 consecutive men. We included men with clinical-laboratorial suspicious for prostate cancer and Likert score ≥ 3 mp-MRI. Patients previously diagnosed with prostate cancer were excluded. All patients were submitted to 14-cores TRUS-guided biopsy (mpMRI data operator-blinded), followed by targeted biopsy using mpMRI-TRUS fusion. RESULTS: There was an overall increase in cancer detection rate, from 56% with random technique to 62% combining targeted biopsy using mpMRI-TRUS fusion; incremental diagnosis was even more relevant for clinically significant lesions (Gleason ≥ 7), diagnosing 10% more clinically significant lesions with fusion biopsy technique. Diagnosis upgrade occurred in 5 patients that would have negative results in random biopsies and had clinically significant tumours with the combined technique, and in 5 patients who had the diagnosis of significant tumours after fusion biopsy and clinically insignificant tumours in random biopsies(p=0.0010). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted biopsy using mpMRI-TRUS fusion has incremental diagnostic value in comparison to conventional random biopsy, better detecting clinically significant prostate cancers. KEY POINTS: • mpMRI-TRUS targeted biopsy increases overall cancer detection rate, but not statistically significant. • mpMRI-TRUS targeted biopsy actually improves the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa. • There was no evidence to acquire the mpMRI-TRUS fusion cores alone.

Magnetic resonance/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy of the prostate compared to systematic 12-core biopsy for the diagnosis and characterization of prostate cancer: multi-institutional retrospective analysis of 389 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incremental diagnostic value of targeted biopsies added to an extended sextant biopsy scheme on a per-patient, risk-stratified basis in 2 academic centers using different multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, a large group of radiologists, multiple biopsy systems, and different biopsy operators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent multiparametric MRI of the prostate in 2 academic centers between February 2013 and January 2015 followed by systematic and targeted MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy were reviewed. Risk-stratified detection rate using systematic biopsies was compared with targeted biopsies on a per-patient basis. The McNemar test was used to compare diagnostic performance of the 2 approaches. RESULTS: A total of 389 men met eligibility criteria. PCa was diagnosed in 47% (182/389), 52%(202/389), and 60%(235/389) of patients using the targeted, systematic, and combined (targeted plus systematic) approach, respectively. Compared with systematic biopsy, targeted biopsy diagnosed 11% (37 vs. 26) more intermediate-to-high risk (P<0.0001) and 16% (10 vs. 16) fewer low-risk tumors (P<0.0001). These results were replicated when data from each center, biopsy-naïve patients, and men with previous negative biopsies were analyzed separately. CONCLUSION: Targeted MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy consistently improved the detection of clinically significant PCa in a large patient cohort with diverse equipment, protocols, radiologists, and biopsy operators as can be encountered in clinical practice.

Percutaneous epidural drainage through a burr hole.

Intracranial extradural collection may cause an increase in intracranial pressure, requiring rapid emergency treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. We described an alternative CT-guided percutaneous access for extradural collection drainage. We report a case of a patient with previous craniectomy for meningioma ressection who presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Brains CT showed a extradural collection with subfalcine herniation. After multidisciplinary discussion a CT-guided percutaneous drainage through previous burr hole was performed. The patient was discharged after 36 hours of admission, without further symptoms. We describe a safe and effective alternative percutaneous access for extradural collection drainage in patients with previous burr hole.