Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
Advanced diffusion weighted imaging of the prostate: Comparison of readout-segmented multi-shot, parallel-transmit
M Klingebiel1, T Ullrich1, M Quentin1
1University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Moorenstr. 5, D-40225 Dusseldorf, Germany.
Purpose:
This study evaluates objective and subjective image quality (IQ) of three different diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences in prostate MRI at 3.0 Tesla within the same patients.
Method:
Thirty-six consecutive patients (70 ± 8 years) with multi-parametric prostate MRI (mp-MRI; 3 T) and subsequently verified prostate cancer (PCa) by targeted plus systematic MR/US-fusion biopsy from 03/2016 to 12/2017 were included. Readout-segmented (rs) multi shot echo-planar imaging (EPI), parallel transmit (ptx) EPI, and single-shot (ss) EPI with b-values of 0, (500,) 1,000 s/mm² and calculated b1,500 were prospectively acquired of every patient. Signal intensities (SI) of PCa and benign tissue (peripheral and transition zone; PZ and TZ) in ADC, b1,000, and calculated b1,500 images were analyzed. Endpoints were signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective IQ on a 5-point scale by two blinded readers.
Results:
For ss-EPI ADC, b-values of 1,000, and calculated 1,500 s/mm² images showed a higher SNR compared to rs-EPI and ptx-EPI (p < 0.01). CNR of PCa and benign tissue was significantly higher for rs-EPI in high b value images compared to ptx-EPI and ss-EPI (p < 0.01). Subjective IQ was significantly higher for rs-EPI (p < 0.01). Significantly higher ADC reduction combined with signal increase on high b value images for PCa compared to the surrounding healthy tissue in PZ and TZ (PCa contrast intensity) was detected for rs-EPI (p < 0.01). Single PCa lesions could only be recognized and correlated on rs-EPI.
Conclusions:
Rs-EPI and ptx-EPI were superior to ss-EPI regarding contrast intensity of PCA, but inferior regarding SNR. Subjective imaging parameters were superior for rs-EPI. Especially rs-EPI, but also ptx-EPI might improve and faciliate prostate cancer detection, rs-EPI at the expense of a longer acquisition time.
Insights
Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI) offers superior contrast for prostate cancer detection, despite longer scan times. Parallel transmit EPI also shows promise, outperforming single-shot EPI in key imaging metrics.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Prostate cancer detection relies heavily on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is crucial for multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) of the prostate.
- Optimizing DWI sequences is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the objective and subjective image quality of three distinct DWI sequences in prostate MRI at 3.0 Tesla.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of readout-segmented (rs) EPI, parallel transmit (ptx) EPI, and single-shot (ss) EPI for prostate cancer (PCa) detection.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included 36 patients with confirmed prostate cancer.
- mp-MRI at 3T was performed using rs-EPI, ptx-EPI, and ss-EPI sequences.
- Signal intensities, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality were analyzed.
Main Results:
- rs-EPI demonstrated significantly higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and subjective image quality compared to ptx-EPI and ss-EPI.
- Single-shot EPI (ss-EPI) offered higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) but lower contrast.
- rs-EPI enabled better visualization and correlation of single prostate cancer lesions.
Conclusions:
- rs-EPI and ptx-EPI sequences are superior to ss-EPI for prostate cancer contrast intensity.
- rs-EPI provides the best subjective image quality, enhancing prostate cancer detection.
- While rs-EPI has a longer acquisition time, it significantly improves prostate cancer detection capabilities.
