Does a new ultrasound probe change the complication rates of transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsies of the prostate?

BACKGROUND

Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsies are performed to diagnose prostate cancer. This study prospectively evaluated the safety, morbidity and complication rates with two different ultrasound probes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three huntred and thirty-two patients were biopsied using a biplane 7.5 MHz probe (GE Medical Systems Kretz Ultrasound, Zipf, Austria) and 101 patients using a biplane 5-10 MHz probe (BK-Medical, Herlev, Denmark). Four weeks after the procedure the patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were 3 major and 75 minor complications. The most common complication was haematuria in 8.1% of cases, followed by pain with urination in 5.3% of cases. After changing the ultrasound probe, the complication rates were slightly higher, but no statistical difference in any of the complication rates was found between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Changing the method within the same team has no influence on complication rates and on prostate cancer detection rates.