Performance of transgluteal CT-guided biopsy of prostate lesions in men without rectal access: A retrospective study

To retrospectively study the performance of CT-guided biopsy of target prostate lesions at a single institution.

Between May 2016 and February 2021, we retrospectively identified all men without rectal access who underwent transgluteal CT-guided biopsy of PIRADS 4 or 5 targets detected on multiparametric MRI (n = 9). Clinical, radiological, and pathological details were collected by review of the electronic medical record, and included age, pre-biopsy prostate specific antigen (PSA) value, prior biopsy history, biopsy targeting technique and procedural details, complications, and final histologic diagnosis. Two targeting techniques were used: Localizing with anatomic landmarks or localizing with contrast enhancement.

Mean patient age was 69 years (range, 49-74) and mean PSA was 14.6 ng/mL (range 7-23). Four lesions were targeted using anatomic landmarks and 5 were targeted using contrast enhancement. All biopsies were technically successful and all resulted as prostate cancer. Three biopsies showed Gleason 6 cancer and 6 biopsies showed clinically significant prostate cancers with Gleason 7 or above. There were no major complications. 7 patients went on to definitive treatment with surgery or radiation.

Transgluteal CT-guided biopsy of MRI detected prostate lesions diagnoses clinically significant prostate cancer without complication and therefore should be considered for patients without a rectum.