Morphologic basis of MR imaging of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2026
Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
R H Hruban1, E A Zerhouni, A P Dagher
1Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Abstract:
Fifteen prostates were obtained from patients autopsied at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and imaged fresh in vitro by high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a surface coil. Following scanning, the specimens were fixed and sectioned in the same plane as the MR images. The prostate sections, corresponding to the MR images, were examined grossly and histologically for prostate pathology. Tissue characteristics were quantified by morphometric techniques and correlated with MR image intensity. Five prostates were normal and showed two distinct anatomic zones, a central periurethral zone and a peripheral zone. These two zones corresponded to two zones identified on MR of the five normal prostates. In contrast, both the MR images and the pathologic and morphometric studies of nine of the 10 prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) showed three distinct zones: a central region of BPH, a surrounding fibrous capsule, and a peripheral zone. This study suggests that there is a morphologic basis for MR intensity in the prostate.
Insights
High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can distinguish prostate zones in normal and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens. This study reveals a morphologic basis for MR image intensity in the prostate.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Urology
Background:
- Prostate imaging requires detailed understanding of its zonal anatomy.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers high resolution for in vitro prostate studies.
- Correlation between MR imaging and prostate pathology is crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate in vitro high-resolution MR imaging findings with gross and histologic prostate pathology.
- To investigate the morphologic basis of MR image intensity in normal and hyperplastic prostates.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen fresh human prostates were imaged using high-resolution MR with a surface coil.
- Specimens were fixed and sectioned in the same plane as MR images.
- Histological examination and morphometric analysis were performed and correlated with MR image intensity.
Main Results:
- Normal prostates showed two distinct MR-visible zones: central periurethral and peripheral.
- Prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) demonstrated three zones: BPH central region, fibrous capsule, and peripheral zone.
- Morphometric quantification supported the correlation between tissue characteristics and MR image intensity.
Conclusions:
- High-resolution MR imaging can differentiate zonal anatomy in normal and BPH prostates.
- Distinct morphologic features in BPH prostates correspond to specific MR image intensities.
- This study establishes a morphologic basis for MR imaging signal variations within the prostate.
More Related Videos
07:34Enhancing Prostate Tumor Biobanking Reliability with Improved Sampling Technique and Histological Characterization
Published on: November 17, 2023
06:08A Cognitive Fusion-guided Prostate Biopsy Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transrectal Ultrasound
Published on: March 21, 2025
