MRI spectroscopy in screening of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of MR Spectroscopy in screening for prostate cancer in comparison to T2-weighted MR imaging.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with biopsy confirmed prostate cancer underwent combined endorectal-body-phased-array MRI at 1.5T (Tesla). Twelve patients were additionally examined with 3D-spectroscopy sequence. The results of the spectroscopy were compared with the findings of T2-weighted MR imaging and the histological examination of radical prostatectomy specimens.


RESULTS
With 3D-spectroscopy, a choline+creatine/citrate-ratio of 0.45 for healthy tissue and a ratio of 1.90 for tumor tissue were found and a significant difference between the groups was demonstrated. In 6 cases diagnosis of tumor localization was improved with spectroscopy in comparison with T2-weighted imaging alone.


CONCLUSIONS
3D-spectroscopy is a suitable technique for improving MR imaging of prostate cancer. This method can improve the diagnostic accuracy of T2-weighted imaging alone. At present, 3D-CSI spectroscopy alone can not be recommended with sufficient validity.
Goeb
Katja
K
Department of Radiology, Martha-Maria Hospital, Nuremberg, Germany.
Engehausen
Dirk G
DG
Krause
F Steffen
FS
Hollenbach
Hans-Peter
HP
Niedobitek
Gerald
G
Buettner
Maike
M
Frangou
Phroso
P
Engelhard
Karl
K
D000368:Aged; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D002951:Citrates / Q000032:analysis; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002951:Citrates; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline