[Color Doppler and ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in the diagnosis of prostatic neoplasm]

The diagnosis of prostate neoplasm is still limited today by the variable power of prediction of the three main surveys used: prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digito rectal exploration (DRE) and ultrasound transrectal (TRUS). The study aimed to estimate the benefits and the diagnostic impact of the color Doppler ultrasonography on the diagnosis of prostate neoplasm through biopsies targeted on areas with abnormal flow. With this purpose, 222 biopsies performed on 71 patients between 1997 and 1999 were considered, which led to a diagnosis of neoplasm in 36 patients. Of the 84 biopsies that revealed prostate adenocarcinoma, 74 (64.3%) were correlated to hypoechoic lesions with abnormal flow signals while 41 (35.6%) showed a benign pathology (prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia) (p < 0.0011). In five patients (13%) who did not present any evident lesions at a first transrectal ultrasound, the diagnosis of neoplasm was made only through biopsies targeted on areas with abnormal flow. Therefore, the color Doppler exam can be used during prostate ultrasonography either to consolidate the diagnosis or to give a useful target in case of isoechoic lesions.