The clinical value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0T to detect prostate cancer

Objective: To compare dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and T-2-weighted imaging (T2WI) at 3.0T for detection of prostate cancer. Methods: Patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen underwent T2WI and DCE-MRI prior to prostate needle biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of T2WI and DCE-MRI to diagnose prostate cancer were evaluated. The relationship between Gleason score and prostate cancer detection by DCE-MRI was evaluated. Results: Prostate adenocarcinoma was histopathologically confirmed in 44/75 patients. DCE-MRI had significantly higher sensitivity, accuracy and NPV than T2WI. The detection rate of prostate cancer by DCE-MRI was significantly better for tumours with Gleason score 7-9 than for those Gleason score 4-6. Conclusion: DCE-MRI at 3.0T can significantly improve prostate cancer detection using simple visual diagnostic criteria, compared with T2WI.