Korean Journal of Legal Medicine  2012;36(1):111-114

doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.111

Fatal Rectal Bleeding after Prostate Biopsy.

Min Jung KIM 1 ; Jae Hong PARK ; Byung Ha CHOI ; Nak Eun CHUNG

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

prostate biopsy; complications; bleeding; rectal; fatal

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

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.