Clinical Feasibility of MRI-guided Robotic and Percutaneous In-Bore Prostate Biopsies at 0.55T

Motivation: MR-guided prostate biopsies are important for sampling indeterminate lesions and are performed at 1.5 or 3T.There are potential advantages of performing interventions on lower field scanners due to their potential to decrease needle artifact width, larger bores to accommodate hardware, improved imaging in presence of metallic implants, and patient comfort. However, lesion/needle visualization, SNR, and ability to target lesions could be challenging at lower fields. Goal(s): To assess feasibility of MRI-guided prostate biopsies on a low field scanner. Approach: We performed 5 in-vivo biopsies and did histopathological correlation. Results: We performed successful biopsies and high volume disease was found in all cases. Impact: Successful lesion visualization and percutaneous and transrectal prostate biopsies are possible on high access, wide bore 0.55 T scanners, widening the clinical feasibility and utility of in-bore MRI guided intervention.