Accuracy of a new echographic method (RULES, radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators) in prostate cancer diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the accuracy of a new echographic method named RULES (radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.


METHODS
A double-blind prospective study was carried out on 105 patients mean age 66.6 years, prostate specific antigen (PSA) >4 ng/ml with clinical and/or biochemical suspicious of prostate cancer. Patients were submitted to transrectal prostate biopsy (8 to 12 cores) using a traditional echograph connected to a new hardware/ software platform named FEMMINA (fast echographic multiparameter multi image novel apparatus) that processes the echo signal by a RULES (radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators) algorithm. Histological findings were compared to B-mode and RULES modality.


RESULTS
Cancer was detected in 32/105 patients, of which 26/32 were determined as positive with the RULES method. RULES had better positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than B-mode.


CONCLUSIONS
Results obtained with RULES are encouraging and, if further confirmed, could help to reduce the number of unnecessary prostatic biopsies.
Bertaccini
Alessandro
A
Department of Urology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. alessandro@bertaccini.net
Franceschelli
Alessandro
A
Schiavina
Riccardo
R
Marchiori
Debora
D
Baccos
Alessandro
A
Pernetti
Remigio
R
Granchi
Simona
S
Biagi
Elena
E
Masotti
Leonardo
L
Martorana
Giuseppe
G
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*