Fast 3-T MR-guided transrectal prostate biopsy using an in-room tablet device for needle guide alignment: a...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Urology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided transrectal prostate biopsy is an evolving technique for cancer detection.
• Accurate needle-guide alignment is crucial for targeting cancer-suspicious regions (CSRs).
• Traditional methods may involve complex adjustments and longer procedure times.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using an in-room tablet device for needle-guide alignment in MR-guided prostate biopsies.
• To assess the accuracy and efficiency of targeting CSRs with this new approach.

Main Methods:

• Twenty patients with PI-RADS score ≥ 4 CSRs underwent MR-guided biopsy.
• An MR fluoroscopy sequence provided real-time feedback on an in-room tablet.
• Needle-guide alignment was performed using the tablet interface for targeting.

Main Results:

• Technical success for needle-guide alignment was achieved in all patients (100%).
• Targeting and sampling of CSRs (median size 14 mm) were successful in 95% after a single alignment step.
• No per-procedural or post-biopsy complications were reported.
• Mean time to first biopsy was 5.8 minutes; mean total procedure time was 23.7 minutes.

Conclusions:

• In-room tablet-assisted needle-guide alignment is a feasible and safe technique for MR-guided prostate biopsy.
• This method allows for precise targeting of CSRs, with high success rates after single alignment.
• The use of the tablet device shows potential for reducing overall procedure time.