Enhancement characteristics of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particle within the prostate gland in patients with primary prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the enhancement of the prostate using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients with prostate cancer.


METHODS
Sixty patients were enrolled. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the central and peripheral zones (CZ and PZ, respectively) of the prostate were evaluated on T2- and T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging before and 24 hours after USPIO-enhanced MRI. The changes in SNR after USPIO-enhanced MRI were analyzed and correlated with serum prostate-specific antigen and histopathologic Gleason scoring based on surgically removed prostate gland.


RESULTS
Decrease in SNR was noted in each zone of the prostate after USPIO-enhanced MRI (P < 0.001). Mean SNR decrease in the CZ was higher than that in the PZ (P < 0.05). High-grade prostate cancer was associated with a higher decrease in SNR (P < 0.05). The SNR change was negatively correlated with serum prostate-specific antigen at low or intermediate levels (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Enhancement of the prostate gland after USPIO administration may be associated with primary prostate cancer.
Li
Chao-Shiang
CS
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. li4563@yahoo.com.tw
Harisinghani
Mukesh G
MG
Lin
Wen-Chiung
WC
Braschi
Martha
M
Hahn
Peter F
PF
Mueller
Peter R
PR
D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003911:Dextrans; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007501:Iron; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010087:Oxides; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D007501:Iron; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide