Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered to be the commonest cancer among males and is considered as the second major cause of mortality induced by cancer in males in the USA. Early and precise diagnosis of PCa is essential for adequate treatment. Several modalities are available for examination of males suspected to have cancer prostate as serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, digital rectal examination, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). However, all these modalities have limited sensitivity and specificity in the early diagnosis of PCa [1, 2]. Multiparametric MR imaging (mpMRI) is actually the most precise imaging technique used for early diagnosis of PCa [3]. It helps in local staging and assessment of the aggressiveness of PCa [4]. According to prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2 and version 2.1, mpMRI consists of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) [5]. Like PI-RADS V 2, In PI-RADS 2.1, DCE has a minor role in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPca) (DCE is fundamentally utilized to raise lesions in the peripheral zone (PZ) from category 3 to category 4 based on positive findings on DCE). The only difference between PI-RADS V 2 and PI-RADS V 2.1 is that positive and negative enhancement on DCE was better illustrated on PI-RADS V 2.1 [6].

There is usually debate regarding the role of DCE in the diagnosis of PCa. Some previous studies stated that the diagnostic performance of biparametric MRI (bpMRI) (T2WI and DWI) is nearly similar to that of mpMRI in the detection of csPca, and they recommended omitting DCE-MRI from the protocol used for the diagnosis of Pca because it is time-consuming and also because of the side effects of contrast media [7,8,9,10,11,12]. On the other hand, other studies reported that adding DCE to DWI improved the accuracy of Pca detection especially for tumors located in the peripheral zone [4, 13]. Despite the controversy about the role of DCE, the PI-RADS steering committee still recommended its inclusion in the mpMRI protocol in the PI-RADS V 2.1 and they recommended that further multiple readers and multicenter studies are required to evaluate the role of bpMRI and evaluate the additive value of DCE. Only a few recent studies discussed the value of PI-RADS v2.1 in the assessment of PCa [14,15,16]. The unique of this study is that we compared bpMRI with mpMRI of PI-RADS v2.1 in the diagnosis of PCa at 3-T MRI.

The aim of this work is to assess the diagnostic capability of bpMRI and mpMRI of PI-RADS V2.1 in the detection of PCa.

Methods

Patient’s demographic data

Approval from our institution’s ethics committee was acquired, and informed consents were acquired from all patients before inclusion in this work. This prospective study included 60 male patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer; their age ranged from 48 to 82 years, and the mean age ± SD was 65 ± 8 years. Patients did not receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy prior to the MRI examinations. No biopsies were performed to all patients prior to the MRI examinations.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer by digital rectal examination or by high serum PSA (> 4 ng/dl) were included.

Exclusion criteria

Patients who had contraindications to do MRI as patients with cardiac pace maker, with cochlear implant, and ocular foreign body; patients who refused contrast media injection; patients who had contraindications for contrast media injection as patients with impaired renal function; patients with poor quality of the MR images as patients with motion artifact; and patients who were lost and their pathological results were not available were excluded.

MRI technique

The procedure was conducted using a 3-T MRI scanner (Ingenia, Philips medical systems, Veenpluis, Netherlands). Patients lied in the supine position, and an abdominal eight-channel surface phased array coil was well fitted on the pelvis. The region of interest was taken from the urinary bladder to the end of the prostate. The following sequences were obtained for all patients: (1) T2-weighted images (field of view (FOV): 200 mm, repetition time (TR): 5000 msec, echo time (TE): 110 msec, slice thickness: 3 mm, no interslice gap, and matrix: 288 × 192). According to the recommendations of the PI-RADS version 2.1, T2W images were acquired in axial (straight axial), sagittal, and coronal planes. (2) Diffusion-weighted images (DWI) (FOV: 350 mm, TR: 7255 msec, TE: 85 msec, slice thickness: 3 mm, no interslice gap and matrix: 128 × 96). Regarding the b values, we used low (0 s/mm2), intermediate (800 s/mm2), and high (1400 s/mm2) b values. ADC maps were obtained from DW images at b0 and b1400 s/mm2 gradients. (3) Dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) (FOV: 200 mm, TR: 19 msec, TE: 1.93 msec, slice thickness: 4 mm, no interslice gap, temporal resolution < 15 s and matrix: 320 × 192). DCE images were obtained after IV injection of contrast media (Dotarem (Gadoteric acid)) at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg (maximum dose 15 mmol) at a rate of 3 mL/s. A contrast injection was performed using an automatic injector.

Image interpretation

Biparametric and multiparametric MR images were analyzed on the basis of the PI-RADS version 2.1 by 2 radiologists (EA, ME) with 5 and 14 years’ experience in uroradiology. The two radiologists analyzed the biparametric MR images at first (T2WI, DWI, and ADC), and then, subsequently on the same setting, the multiparametric MR images were analyzed. The two radiologists were blinded to the results of histopathological examination. On the basis of the PI-RADS version 2.1 all detected lesions were assigned a score from 1 to 5 representing the probability of clinically significant PCa (PI-RADS 1: very low, PI-RADS 2: low, PI-RADS 3: intermediate, PI-RADS 4: high, PI-RADS 5: very high). For the transitional zone (TZ) lesions, the scoring was done mainly on T2WI. Category 2 lesions on T2WI were raised to category 3 when the lesions were categorized as 4 or 5 on DWI. Category 3 lesions on T2WI were raised to category 4 when they were categorized as 5 on DWI. For peripheral zone (PZ) lesions, the scoring was done mainly on DWI. Category 3 lesions on DWI were raised to category 4 when they showed positive enhancement on DCE on mpMRI. On bpMRI, the categorization of PZ lesion was done only on the basis of DWI and the lesions on category 3 will remain in category 3 and not upgraded. In cases with multifocal lesions, we reported only the index lesion for statistical analysis. On basis of PI-RADS version2.1, the index lesion is defined as the lesion that shows the highest PI-RADS assessment category, and if the highest PI-RADS Assessment Category is specified to more than or equal two lesions, the index lesion is the lesion that revealed extraprostatic extension (EPE). If EPE was not present in any of the detected lesions, the index lesion will be the lesion that showed the largest dimensions and the highest PI-RADS Assessment Category. The two radiologists joined and reached a correspondence about the bpMRI and mpMRI scores for controversial cases.

Final diagnosis

TRUS-guided biopsy (standard 12-core random systematic biopsy) was performed for all patients after the MRI studies. The duration between the MRI study and the histopathological examination was 7–10 days. TRUS-guided biopsy was done by using (Flex focus 500, bk medical, Herlev, Denmark) with high-frequency transrectal transducer (5–9 MHz) with a condom cover. The patient lied in a lithotomy position. A lubricant gel is used with lignocaine cream before insertion of the probe. Axial and coronal scans were obtained to demonstrate the volume of the prostate, any abnormal foci at the peripheral zone, and the infiltration of the seminal vesicles by malignancies. Twelve cores were taken, and tissue biopsies were sent for histopathologic evaluation.

When TRUS-guided biopsy revealed PCa, open prostatectomy was performed and the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma was confirmed. According to PI-RADS v2.1, csPCa is diagnosed by histopathology as the lesion with Gleason score more than 7 (including 3 + 4 with prominent but not predominant Gleason 4 component), and/or volume more than 0.5cc, and/or EPE. In order to match the MRI findings with the results of the prostatectomy specimen, we reported the site of the index lesion on MRI according to the sector map proposed by the PI-RADS version 2.1, and subsequently, we obtained the prostatectomy results for the related zones.

Statistical analysis and data interpretation

Data were fed to the computer and analyzed using IBM SPSS Corp. (released in 2013, IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Qualitative data were described using numbers and percentages. The significance of the obtained results was judged at the (0.05) level. Diagnostic accuracy for categorical variables was detected by cross-tabulation to detect true positive and true negative, and then a calculation of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive rate, negative predictive rate, and accuracy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of both bpMRI and mpMRI of PI-RADS version 2.1 were calculated two times, one time when considering PI-RADS categories 4 and 5 as malignant lesions and the other time when considering PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 as malignant lesions.

Results

This study included 60 male patients with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer. The PSA level for patients included in this study ranged from 4.8 to 100 ng/dl (mean ± SD = 35 ± 33.9 ng/dl), and the mean PSA level for malignant cases was mean ± SD = 50.3 ± 33.9 ng/dl. According to the histopathology, 35 patients (58.3 %) were malignant (adenocarcinoma) and 25 patients were benign (41.7%). Among those with benign lesions, 22 patients were BPH (88%) and 3 patients were prostatitis (12%). Out of the pathologically proven 25 benign lesions, 22 lesions were located at the TZ and 3 lesions were located at the PZ. Out of the pathologically proven 35 malignant lesions, 31 lesions were located at the PZ and 4 lesions were located at the TZ. Out of the 31 malignant lesions located at the PZ, 7 lesions were located in the right mid prostate, 6 lesions were located in the left mid prostate, 5 lesions were located in the right prostate apex, 3 lesions were located in the left prostate apex, 4 lesions were located in the right prostate base, and 6 lesions were located in the left prostate base. After open prostatectomy, the Gleason score for the 35 malignant cases were 3 + 3 for 2 patients (5.7%), 3 + 4 for 7 patients (20%), 4 + 3 for 9 patients (25.7%), 4 + 4 for 16 patients (45.8%), and 4 + 5 for 1 patient (2.8%).

When comparing the final PI-RADS assessment categories of bpMRI and mpMRI with the results of histopathological examination, we found that the total PI-RADS v2.1 score of bpMRI revealed 22 lesions with scores 4 and 5 (Figs. 1 and 2), 21 out of them were proved to be malignant and only one lesion was proved to be benign. Twenty-one lesions had scores 1 and 2, 2 lesions out of them were proved to be malignant and 19 lesions were proved to be benign. Indeterminate lesions (score 3) were 17 lesions, 12 out of them were proved to be malignant and 5 lesions were proved to be benign. The total PI-RADs v2.1 score of mpMRI revealed 32 lesions with scores 4 and 5 (Figs. 1 and 2), 31 lesions out of them were proved to be malignant and only one lesion was benign, and 21 lesions with scores 1 and 2, 19 lesions out of them were benign and 2 lesions were malignant. Indeterminate lesions (score 3) were 7 lesions, 2 out of them were proved to be malignant and the remaining 5 lesions were proved to be benign (Table 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Prostatic adenocarcinoma with Gleason score 3 + 4 in a 65-year-old male patient with serum PSA > 100 ng/ml. a Axial T2WI shows circumscribed homogeneous moderate hypointense mass > 1.5 cm seen involving the right posterolateral peripheral zone of the mid prostate. b Axial ADC shows focal markedly hypointense mass > 1.5 cm. c Axial high b value DWI shows focal markedly hyperintense mass > 1.5 cm (the final PI-RADS score on basis bpMRI was score 5). d Axial DCE shows +ve contrast enhancement (the final PI-RADS score on the basis of mpMRI was score 5, DCE did not aid in the diagnosis of this case and it was already diagnosed by bpMRI)

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Prostatic adenocarcinoma with Gleason score 4 + 4 in a 71-year-old male patient with serum PSA = 70 ng/ml. a Axial T2WI shows circumscribed homogeneous moderate hypointense mass > 1.5 cm seen involving the left posterolateral and left posteromedial peripheral zones of the mid prostate. b Axial ADC shows focal markedly hypointense mass > 1.5 cm. c Axial high b value DWI shows focal markedly hyperintense mass > 1.5 cm (the final PI-RADS score on basis bpMRI was score 5). d Axial DCE shows −ve contrast enhancement (the final PI-RADS score on the basis of mpMRI was score 5, DCE did not aid in the diagnosis of this case and it was already diagnosed by bpMRI)

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Table 1 Score and number of malignant and benign prostatic lesions on pbMRI and mpMRI
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When considering PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 only as malignant lesions, we found that mpMRI had higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI. mpMRI had 88.6% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 96.9% PPV, 86.7% NPV, and 91.7% diagnostic accuracy, while bpMRI had 60% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 95.5% PPV, 63.2% NPV, and 75% diagnostic accuracy (Table 2). When considering PI-RADS scores 3, 4, and 5 as malignant lesions, we found that the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of both bpMRI and mpMRI were comparable. Both bpMRI and mpMRI had 94.3% sensitivity, 76% specificity, 84.6% PPV, 90.5% NPV, and 86.7% diagnostic accuracy (Table 3).

Table 2 Diagnostic values for bpMRI and mpMRI in detection of prostate cancer when considering PI-RADS scores 1, 2, and 3 as benign and PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 as malignant
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Table 3 Diagnostic values for bpMRI and mpMRI in detection of prostate cancer when considering PI-RADS scores 1 and 2 as benign and PI-RADS scores 3, 4, and 5 as malignant
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Discussion

The main finding in this research work is that mpMRI had higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI considering PI-RADS categories 4 and 5 only as malignant lesions, while when considering PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 as malignant lesions, the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of both mpMRI and bpMRI were comparable.

PI-RADS V2.1 is an updated new scoring system for PCa detection, preserving the frame of assigning scores to single sequences and then employing these scores to obtain a gross assessment category. Several previous studies investigated the additive value of DCE to T2WI and DWI in PCa detection on the basis of PI-RADS v. 2, and there was controversy regarding the role of DCE. Several studies found that the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI (T2WI and DWI) were comparable to that of mpMRI (T2WI, DWI, and DCE) [7, 8, 11, 17,18,19,20]. It was stated that the performance of bpMRI and mpMRI in the diagnosis of PCa was nearly similar (AUC for bpMRI = 0.914 and AUC for mpMRI = 0.917) [17]. One study performed a meta-analysis of the head-to-head comparison between the diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI and mpMRI and concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of bpMRI and mpMRI were nearly similar (74% sensitivity and 90% specificity for bpMRI versus 76% sensitivity and 89% specificity for mpMRI) [7]. Another study stated that the diagnostic performance of both bpMRI and mpMRI was similar with AUC of 0.91 for bpMRI and 0.93 for mpMRI [8]. It was stated that the diagnostic accuracy of both bpMRI and mpMRI was comparable (89.1% accuracy of bpMRI versus 87.2% accuracy for mpMRI) [11]. A previous study concluded that the difference between the diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI and mpMRI was not statistically significant (83% accuracy for bpMRI versus 82% accuracy for mpMRI for reader 1 and 80% accuracy for bpMRI versus 82% accuracy for mpMRI for reader 2) [18]. It was reported that both bpMRI and mpMRI had comparable diagnostic accuracy in PCa diagnosis [19]. One study stated that in men with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS scores 3–5), both bpMRI and mpMRI had similar sensitivity (95%) and bpMRI and mpMRI had specificity of 65% and 69%, respectively [20]. To our knowledge, this study is a unique study that compares the diagnostic performance of bpMRI and mpMRI on the basis of the PI-RADS V 2.1, and we found that the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI and mpMRI were comparable when considering PI-RADS scores 3, 4, and 5 as malignant lesions.

On the other hand, in PI-RADS v 2.1, the PI-RADS steering committee still recommend the inclusion of DCE to the protocol of mpMRI used for diagnosis of prostate cancer and stated that DCE is considered as a secure sequence, particularly when T2WI or DWI showed poor image quality due to artifacts or inappropriate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a condition which is common to occur on some MRI devices when prostate MRI was carried out without using an endorectal coil. It was stated that DCE could increase tumor detection rate by about 16% for score 3 PZ lesions on DWI [13]. Also, it was stated that for lesions with category more than or equal 3 on bpMRI, DCE was found to be of statistical significance in the detection of PCa [4]. One study concluded that readers’ experience is mandatory for assessment of bpMRI where the sensitivity of bpMRI and mpMRI were 91% and 96%, respectively, for expert readers, while for less-experienced readers mpMRI had higher sensitivity when compared with bpMRI (sensitivity was 58% for bpMRI versus 91% for mpMRI) [21]. In this work, mpMRI showed higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI when considering malignant lesions as lesions with PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 only.

There are a few limitations of this study: The first one was a small number of studied patients. Further research works with a larger number of patients and multicenter studies are recommended. Second, the body surface coil was used in examination and not an endorectal coil. Third, it would be better to perform this study with multiple readers and assess the interobserver agreement.

Conclusion

Considering PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 as malignant, mpMRI had higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI; however, when considering PI-RADS scores 3, 4, and 5 as malignant, both bpMRI and mpMRI had similar diagnostic accuracy.