MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy

Alexandria Urology Associates

Urologists located in Alexandria, LA & Oakdale, LA

When you need a biopsy, getting an accurate diagnosis is critical. At Alexandria Urology Associates, James Richey, MD, and Lance Templeton, MD, offer MRI fusion prostate biopsy, an innovative approach that improves diagnostic accuracy for men in and around Alexandria and Oakdale, Louisiana. Learn more during a face-to-face consultation, which can be booked online or by phone in just moments.

MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy Q & A

What is a biopsy?

A biopsy involves removing a small sample of cells from an organ or area of concern for the purposes of microscopic evaluation. Most commonly used to detect signs of cancer, biopsies also look for other diseases.

There are several ways to gather prostate cells for examination. Your specialist uses a needle to pierce the wall of your rectum or perineal area to access your prostate and withdraw a small sample of cells. This process is repeated around a dozen times to gather cells from various areas of your prostate gland.

What is MRI fusion prostate biopsy?

The problem with a traditional biopsy is that your doctor is gathering cells without being able to “see” where the needle is within your prostate gland. If the needle doesn’t collect cells directly from a tumor, the results could miss signs of cancer.

MRI fusion prostate biopsy uses advanced technology to solve this problem. Alexandria Urology Associates uses the UroNavⓇ system to combine the power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound technology.

The system uses a previously taken MRI and combines the imaging data with real-time ultrasound. This gives your practitioner the ability to “see” areas of tissue concentration which could be tumors, then guides the biopsy needle to that exact spot.

Data from earlier procedures are stored and can be used as a reference for later MRI fusion procedures. This further enhances the power and usefulness of this diagnostic system.

Is MRI fusion prostate biopsy painful?

There is no need for general anesthesia during an MRI fusion prostate biopsy. A local anesthetic numbs the prostate area to keep you comfortable during the procedure, which usually takes less than a half-hour.

You can also receive a sedative to help you relax, especially if you are anxious about the procedure. Just speak with the Alexandria Urology Associates team prior to your procedure date to learn about your options.

An MRI fusion prostate biopsy offers unparalleled diagnostic imaging, and can vastly improve accuracy. Alexandria Urology Associates is proud to be the only provider of this innovative technology in the region. Learn more during a face-to-face consultation, which you can set up online or over the phone today.

What we offer