Korean J Leg Med.  2012 May;36(1):111-114. 10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.111.

Fatal Rectal Bleeding after Prostate Biopsy

• Kim MJ
• Park JH
• Choi BH
• Chung NE

• KMID: 2250327
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.111

Abstract

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate is a common outpatient procedure for diagnosing prostatic cancer. It is a relatively noninvasive, safe, and effective method, as the majority of post-biopsy complications are mild and self-limiting. Fatal complications including infection or massive hemorrhage are rare, but can be life threatening. We herein present an autopsy case of fatal rectal bleeding after prostate biopsy and an analysis of similar cases.

Keyword

prostate biopsy; complications; bleeding; rectal; fatal

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Biopsy
Hemorrhage
Humans
Outpatients
Prostate
Prostatic Neoplasms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The rectal mucosa just above anal verge shows hemorrhage and a mucosal perforation (arrow). Note the left posterior side of prostate under the perforation has more rich vascular bed than the right posterior side of it.

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