Transperineal fine needle biopsy of gynecological tumors guided by transrectal ultrasound: a new method.

Six patients had transperineal fine needle biopsy of a pelvic mass performed guided by transrectal ultrasound. Five patients following treatment for gynecological cancer with inconclusive gynecological palpation had a transrectal ultrasound examination performed because abdominal ultrasound did not disclose abnormality. One patient with low back pain had a pelvic mass disclosed with abdominal ultrasound and was referred to transrectal ultrasound for biopsy. In all cases a pelvic lesion was visualized with transrectal ultrasound and transperineal fine needle biopsy was performed. In five cases sufficient material for cytological as well as histological evaluation was obtained showing malignant disease. In one case only necrotic tissue was obtained and subsequent operation disclosed inflammatory changes. It is concluded that transrectal ultrasound combined with transperineal biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in the follow-up of patients treated for gynecological cancer.