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Multiparametric prostate MRI: focus on T2-weighted imaging and role in staging of prostate cancer

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Abstract

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) represents a growing modality for the non-invasive evaluation of prostate cancer (PCa) and is increasingly being used for patients with persistently elevated PSA and prior negative biopsies, for monitoring patients in active surveillance protocols, for preoperative characterization of cancer for surgical planning, and in planning for MRI-targeted biopsy. The focus of this work is twofold. First, we review the key role of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) in mpMRI, specifically outlining how it is used for anatomic evaluation of the prostate, detection of clinically significant PCa, assessment of extraprostatic extension (EPE), and mimics of PCa on this sequence. We will also discuss optimal technical acquisition parameters for this sequence and recent technical advancements in T2WI. Second, we will delineate the role that mpMRI plays in the staging of PCa and describe the implications of the information that mpMRI can provide in determining the most appropriate management plan for the patient with PCa.

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Acknowledgments

This project was performed at the Departments of Radiology at Duke University Medical Center, University of Minnesota, University of Colorado, and Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3808, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Rajan T. Gupta & Alison F. Brown

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, MMC 292, 420 East Delaware Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Benjamin Spilseth

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Hospital, 12605 E. 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Nayana Patel

  4. Department of Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Main Hospital, Room 3-446, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Jinxing Yu

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  1. Rajan T. Gupta
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Correspondence to Rajan T. Gupta.

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Rajan T. Gupta, MD is a Consultant for Invivo Corp.

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Gupta, R.T., Spilseth, B., Patel, N. et al. Multiparametric prostate MRI: focus on T2-weighted imaging and role in staging of prostate cancer. Abdom Radiol 41, 831–843 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-015-0579-5

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