MR imaging of the prostate at 3.0T with external phased array coil - preliminary results.
BACKGROUND
Among all imaging modalities, MRI of the prostate has the highest sensitivity to predict extracapsular tumor spread, seems to have added value for the preoperative treatment planning. It is an adjunct tool in patients with high suspicion of prostate cancer and so far negative TRUS-guided biopsies. Due to the higher intrinsic signal, it is expected that 3.0T enables to image the prostate without endorectal coil. Aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of phased array coil 3.0T MRI in patients with suspicion of prostate cancer.


METHODS
A high spatial resolution T2-w 3.0T pulse sequence (0.47 x 0.47 x 3mm voxel size) was performed in 26 patients prior to US-guided biopsy. Qualitative analysis comprised visual signal to noise, tissue contrasts and motion artifacts. MR diagnoses were correlated with histology. Diagnostic indices for the detection of prostate cancer in the peripheral zone were calculated.


RESULTS
Histopathologic examination revealed pro?state cancer in 12 and benign prostate disorders in 14 patients. Motion artifacts due to peristalsis were rated moderate. Mean visual signal to noise was high. Contrast between peripheral and central zone of the prostate was excellent. MRI had 4 false negative and 2 false positive diagnoses (sensitivity 66.7 %, specificity 86.7 % diagnostic accuracy 76.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
At 3.0T, diagnostic indices for cancer detection seem to be comparable to data reported about endorectal 1.5T MRI. Thus 3.0 T offers new options for MR imaging of the prostate in selected patients who cannot or are not willing to be examined with the endorectal coil.
Morakkabati-Spitz
N
N
Department of Radiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. nuschin.morakkabati-spitz@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Bastian
P J
PJ
Gieseke
J
J
Träber
F
F
Kuhl
C K
CK
Wattjes
M P
MP
Müller
S C
SC
Schild
H H
HH
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods