Transrectal ultrasound guided versus digitally directed prostatic biopsy: a comparative study.

A total of 45 patients was evaluated with palpable prostatic nodules by digitally directed and ultrasonically guided biopsies. Of 14 patients with carcinoma tumor was detected by both techniques in 11. Of the remaining 3 patients 2 had positive findings only with the digitally directed biopsy and 1 only with the ultrasound guided biopsy. The study indicates that ultrasound guided prostatic biopsy is not necessary as a routine procedure when a distinct nodule is palpable.