MRI-guided prostate biopsy
Everything you need to know about the procedure.
If a suspicious lesion has been discovered during a diagnostic MRI examination of the prostate, a tissue biopsy can be performed using MRI guidance. The indication is given by the radiologist in close cooperation with the treating urologist. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Contact us
If you experience severe intestinal bleeding, fever or severe pain after the procedure, you can reach us
Until 4:00 p.m. in the secretary's office Phone +49 221 478-82035 or -96063
After 4 p.m. via the emergency radiology department in the central emergency room Phone +49 221 478-6267
Frequently asked questions
MRI-guided prostate biopsy is a procedure in which suspicious tissue is removed from the prostate for further examination. MRI imaging prior to the biopsy allows the surgeon to determine exactly where and how the tissue sample(s) should be taken. The procedure is primarily used to diagnose prostate cancer.
You do not need to be fasting for the procedure. Please do not take any blood-thinning medication three days before the procedure. This includes commercially available painkillers such as Aspirin©. In high-risk patients, such as patients who have had a heart attack or stroke, ASA can continue to be taken if necessary. Please consult your doctor and us about this. If you are taking heparin or Marcumar©, please let us know in advance so that the planned biopsy can be adequately planned.
At least one day before the procedure, you will be informed by a radiologist about the benefits and risks of the procedure. You will receive a dedicated information sheet from us to prepare for the consultation. We ask you to read this carefully and complete it truthfully. You can then ask your questions during the subsequent consultation. It is best to have a blood sample taken by your urologist or GP one to two weeks before the planned biopsy to determine your blood coagulation parameters. During the consultation, you will be prescribed an antibiotic which you must take to prevent infection.
The intervention takes place in one of our MR tomographs. After local anesthesia of the rectal mucosa, a shortened MRI examination of the prostate is performed without contrast agent, as you are already familiar with from the previous examination. In this way, it is possible to visualize the suspicious findings. The biopsy is then carried out with software support based on the examination performed.
After careful palpation, the biopsy holder is inserted into the rectum. The suspicious finding is biopsied in a targeted manner via this guide. As a rule, up to three suspicious samples are taken. These are examined at the Institute of Pathology at Cologne University Hospital. The total duration of the procedure, including preparation and follow-up, is around 45 - 60 minutes. You can then go home after a follow-up period of around 30 - 60 minutes and a final consultation with one of our radiologists. Please take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure to minimize the risk of post-operative bleeding.