title: [Mean biopsy length: an objective criterion of the quality of prostatic biopsies].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the quality of prostatic biopsies (PB) by studying the mean biopsy length (Lm) and its impact on the result.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study on 78 consecutive PBs (extended 10 biopsy protocol) performed for PSA > 4 and < or = 12 ng/ml. Biopsy reports were standardized and computerized and indicated a global PB quality criterion and Lm. Biopsies were classified by Lm. The presence of carcinoma was studied in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 67.5 years (50-80). The mean Lm of PB described as good quality (46.15%) was 11.8 mm (8.5-13.8) versus 6.6 mm (2.1-10.7) for the other PBs (53.85%) (p< 0.001). Lm was < 8 mm for 38% of PBs and > or = 12 mm for 23%. 31.8% of PBs with Lm < 10 mm detected a cancer versus 41.2% of PBs with Lm > or = 10 mm (p>0.1). The mean cumulative length of carcinomatous sites of positive PBs with Lm < 10 mm was 9.42 mm (1-39) versus 18.42 min (1-60) for Lm > or = 10 mm (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A standardized protocol does not guarantee the quality of PB. Lm is an objective criterion indicative of the global quality of PB. An Lm < 10 mm underestimates cancer detection. PB must be interpreted according to an objective quality criterion indicated in the conclusion of the report.
authors.affiliation: Cabinet d'Urologie des Alpes du Sud, Polyclinique des Alpes du Sud, France. fabrice.mondet@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mondet
authors.forename: Jean-Hugues
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Oddou
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collomb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011786:Quality Control