Use of colour Doppler to eliminate rectal bleeding from trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate

Bleeding is one of the complications of trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate. Urethral bleeding could be prevented by avoiding the trajectory on the urethra. However, rectal bleeding is difficult to predict because the peri-prostatic, intra-prostatic and rectal vessels cannot be seen on an ordinary ultrasound scan. Use of colour Doppler to map out the vessels cognitively before injection of local anaesthesia prevents puncture of the vessels, which is a key cause of rectal bleeding. Level of evidence: Not applicable.