Magnetic Resonance and Ultrasound-Fusion guided biopsy

MRI-Ultrasound Fusion biopsies overlay two images – one from the MRI, the other from the ultrasound – for an enhanced, highly improved view of the prostate. The Department of Radiology in VCU Health is the only site in Virginia that performs advanced MRI-Ultrasound Fusion biopsies, which has simplified and shortened the biopsy process to about 20 minutes from what previously took nearly an hour. A study published in 2015 by the Center for Cancer Research found that fusion biopsy is 30 percent more accurate in diagnosing high-risk, aggressive cancers than a TRUS biopsy.

Reasons for a MR-Ultrasound Fusion biopsy

• Elevated PSA levels in the blood
• Abnormal finding on your digital rectal exam
• History of negative TRUS biopsies with a continued concern for cancer

About the procedure

After the patient undergoes an MRI, the process “fuses” the patient’s scans with real-time ultrasound images. With the advanced fusion procedure, physicians get a much clearer image of a possible tumor and are able to better guide the biopsy needle of the prostate.

During the biopsy, a patient first undergoes the MRI scan. A radiologist reviews it and marks suspicious areas. The physician will fuse these images over real time ultrasound images of the prostate for accurate targeting. In addition to the targeted biopsy, the physician may also obtain a standard 12 sample biopsy from the prostate.

A patient may have the ultrasound fusion biopsy done on the same day as the MRI, or he can choose to have it done the other day. If no target is identified during the MRI, the follow-up biopsy may not be needed.

The week before your procedure, do not take any aspirin or aspirin-like medicine. You must also take antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin and Keflex) and a fleet enema the day before.

After the procedure

There are no driving restrictions after the procedure, so you do not necessarily need to arrange for anyone to drive you home.

Biopsy results are usually available within two or three days after the biopsy is performed.