Abstract
Introduction e Objectives
There are some evidences that the combination of EndoMRI and MRS might be able to limit the number of iterative biopsies in patients with negative biopsies of the prostate and a still rising PSA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible role of EndoMRI/MRS in patients with ASAP.
Methods
From November 2005 to September 2008 we enrolled 28 consecutive patients diagnosed with ASAP at a TRUS-guided needle prostate biopsy. All patients underwent prostatic EndoMRI and MRS. A prostatic zone was classified as: suspicious for prostate cancer if low intensity signal was present on T2-weighted images and/or if the choline + creatine / citrate ratio was >0.86; equivocal or negative otherwise. A subsequent 12-core needle prostate biopsy was performed and supplementary biopsies were added in the suspicious zones. The results of MRI/MRS were then compared with histological findings.
Results
The combination of EndoMRI and MRS was suspicious for cancer in 70% of patients, equivocal in 23% and negative in 7%. Histological findings at re-biopsy included: prostate cancer in 35%, ASAP in 23%, BPH or prostatitis in 42%. In 78% of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer the combination MRI/MRS was suspicious and in 22% equivocal. In all patients the cancer was found in suspicious zones at MRI/MRS where targeted biopsies were performed.
Conclusions
The combination of EndoMRI and MRS proved to have a good sensitivity but a poor specificity in identifying a concurrent prostate cancer among patients with ASAP. The location of positive cores for prostate cancer was consistent with the suspicious zones at MRI/MRS.
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