Safety and tolerance of transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

Objective. To identify the complications and possible associated factors observed in patients with suspected prostate cancer undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) biopsy. Patients and methods. A prospective analysis of the TRUS biopsy procedures performed between 1995-2005. Descriptive statistics: mean, standard deviation, percentage, and 95% confidence intervals. Inferential statistics: t-test, chi-square analysis, 95% confidence intervals, and odds ratio (OR). EPI-Info Program 3.2.2-2005 of the WHO. Results. A total of 1067 patients underwent the procedure; 913 (85%; CI: 83.3; 87.6) reported no pain or only slight pain. Clinical complications were detected in 284 cases (26.6%; CI: 24.2; 27.4). Self-limiting hematuria and rectorrhagia accounted for 82% of all complications. Observation and/or hospital admission was required in 7 cases (0.6%; CI: 0.3; 0.8). Immediate US follow-up after puncture registered complications in 302 cases (28.3%; CI: 26.6; 29.3). Periprostatic and/or submucosal hematoma in 264 cases accounted for 87% of these complications. The complications observed during US were related to: a history of prior urological pathology (OR = 1.52; CI: 1.31; 1.73; p = 0.005) and increased pain (OR = 5.63; CI: 5.60; 5.66 p < 0.001). The clinical complications were associated with: altered coagulation (OR = 1.67; CI: 1.64; 1.70; p = 0.045) and increased pain (OR = 0.37; CI: 0.32; 0.42 p < 0.001). The complications detected during US were not translated to clinical complications (OR = 0.16; CI: 0.13; 0,20 p < 0.001). Conclusions. TRUS biopsy is well tolerated by patients in our environment. Clinical complications are minimal and generally self limiting and rarely require hospital care. The role of the radiologist can be important for improving patients' tolerance of the test and reducing complications.