title: Enhancement characteristics of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particle within the prostate gland in patients with primary prostate cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. li4563@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Chao-Shiang
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mukesh G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Harisinghani
authors.forename: Wen-Chiung
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braschi
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D007501:Iron; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide