Contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound (CE-TRUS) with cadence-contrast pulse sequence (CPS) technology for the...

Various imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been assessed with regard to their value in the detection of prostate cancer (CaP). However, there is a need for less time-consuming and more cost effective procedures in urology. In order to determine the ability of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound (CE-TRUS) to identify CaP, we investigated patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy for CaP and radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer.

Between May and August 2008, 35 consecutive patients with CaP and muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma were prospectively enrolled in this single center study. All patients underwent B-mode TRUS and CE-TRUS (Sequoia 512 unit with an endocavity probe EV8C4, 8 MHz; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) by one investigator blinded to any clinical data before radical surgery. Contrast-enhanced images were obtained after intravenous infusion of a bolus (2.4 ml) of the contrast agent SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy). Ultrasound findings (CE-TRUS and B-mode TRUS) were correlated with step-section histology.

On a per-patient basis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for detecting CaP with CE-TRUS were 71.0%, 50.0%, 91.7%, and 18.2%, respectively. In comparison with B-mode TRUS (sensitivity 45.2%, specificity 75.0%, PPV 93.3%, and NPV 18.0%), CE-TRUS performed significantly better (P=0.004, McNemar test). On a per-prostate-lobe basis sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 69.0%, 33.3%, 83.3%, and 18.2%.

CE-TRUS detected prostate cancer with a modest sensitivity and a high PPV in a selected patient cohort. Future randomized-controlled multicenter studies are needed to further validate the value of CE-TRUS in the detection of CaP. Based on our results, CE-TRUS may not be recommended as a routine procedure in the diagnosis of CaP at present.