Interventional radiology (IR) offers minimally invasive procedures that can treat a wide variety of conditions in the body. Our doctors are highly specialized in radiology medicine and can often offer an alternative to traditional open surgery. IR procedures use image guidance (ultrasound, CT scan or fluoroscopy) that point the physician directly to the area of interest and allow for precise treatment. Most of our procedures can be done without general anesthesia and patients can go home the same day. IR physicians work closely with primary care and other specialty providers to ensure that each patient receives individualized care. Our treatments can be used for cancer, infertility, liver, renal and vascular disease and for pain management.

About 

Targeted MRI/Ultrasound Fusion biopsy is the latest technology available in the detection and management of prostate cancer and we’re proud to offer this advanced diagnostic tool for our patients. If cancer is suspected as a result of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or an abnormal rectal exam, a prostate biopsy may be needed. In the past, men with elevated PSA levels were sent for multiple random biopsies of prostate tissue. An alternative method for prostate cancer detection, diagnosis and monitoring is now available to patients. The Semi-Robotic 3D MRI/US fusion targeted biopsy combines advances in prostate imaging with traditional trans-rectal ultrasound for a targeted, more accurate ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. 

How It Works 

The MR/US Fusion Biopsy is performed in a hospital or a surgery center setting. Monitored twilight anesthesia care (similar to a colonoscopy) is required to ensure a quality biopsy is performed. First, an MRI exam of the prostate detects suspicious areas that can’t be seen on ultrasound but can be cancerous. The radiologist marks these areas in a process known as mapping. On the day of the patient’s biopsy procedure, the patient will be positioned onto their left side and receive anesthesia to make them comfortable during the procedure. The urologist will then use ultrasound imaging to obtain more images of the prostate. The ultrasound images will be fused with the MRI mapping to create a model of the prostate. The urologist uses a semi-robotic arm to navigate the ultra-sound probe and biopsy instrument to target the suspicious locations that were mapped by the radiologist. Multiple specimens are taken of these areas for further examination. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes.