Multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) images with real-time dynamic ultrasound images can achieve precise guidance for prostate puncture biopsy, greatly improving the detection rate of prostate cancer.
Prostate MRI is recognized as the preferred screening tool in noninvasive imaging, especially multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), which includes MRI-T2-weighted phase sagittal prostate image sequences, MRI diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and MRI dynamic enhanced scanning (DCE).
The specific detection principles are:
- Prostate tumors in T2-weighted images mainly appear as low-signal defect areas within the peripheral bands, which are significantly different from the normal high-signal peripheral bands, facilitating the diagnosis;
- MRI is very sensitive in determining whether prostate cancer has penetrated the pericardium, whether the seminal vesicles are invaded, and whether there are metastases in the lymph nodes in the pelvis.
In recent years, the fusion of multiparametric magnetic resonance images with real-time dynamic ultrasound images via computer software for precise guidance of prostate puncture biopsy has greatly improved the detection rate of prostate cancer, especially for clinically significant tumors.
So older patients who have an elevated PSA on physical examination and need further testing to rule out prostate cancer may consider MRI, and multiparametric MRI should be done in hospitals that have it.