Sonographically guided transperineal prostatic biopsy: preliminary experience with a longitudinal linear-array transducer

Abstract

Transperineal prostate biopsy performed with continuous sonographic monitoring by a real-time rectal endoscopic probe, using a longitudinal linear array which offered complete visualization of the needle from the perineum into suspected abnormal areas within the prostate, was performed in 25 patients with clinically suspected prostate disease. Clinically suspected nodules in 13 patients were more accurately biopsied using sonographic guidance as opposed to conventional manual, digital guidance. Subclinical carcinomas in three patients and areas of atypical histology in three patients were also identified and biopsied using transrectal sonographic guidance.