[Place of contrast imaging in prostate cancer detection]

Contrast imaging of the prostate is based on rapid-sequence MRI after dynamic Gadolinium injection and contrast ultrasound after injection of microbubbles. MRI can be performed routinely on all available machines. Contrast ultrasound requires specific software not yet available on all machines. The two techniques are designed to improve the reliability of imaging, as a complement to MR spectroscopy, to localize prostate cancer MRI can detect suspicious enhancement in the peripheral zone, but especially in the transitional zone after one or a series of negative posterior biopsies to target a new series of biopsies. The sensitivity and specificity of the technique have yet to be determined. The objective of contrast ultrasound is to improve cancer detection on the first series of biopsies by multiplying sextant biopsies in sites where the contrast kinetics are suggestive of a primary lesion. However, this technique cannot yet be recommended in routine practice, as the modalities of injection of the latest generation of microbubbles (bolus or infusion) need to be evaluated.