Prostate MRI using a rigid two-channel phased-array endorectal coil: comparison with phased array coil acquisition at...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• 3T prostate MRI is crucial for cancer detection.
• Evaluating advanced coil configurations can optimize image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
• Patient comfort is a key consideration in MRI procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare image quality, lesion detection, and patient comfort of 3T prostate MRI using a combined rigid endorectal coil and phased-array coil (ERC-PAC) versus a phased-array coil (PAC) alone.
• To assess the impact of ERC-PAC on lesion characterization using PI-RADSv2.1.
• To evaluate the signal-to-noise ratio (eSNR) and inter/intra-observer agreement.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 33 men with suspected or confirmed prostate cancer.
• 3T prostate MRI including T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) performed with ERC-PAC and PAC alone in random order.
• Image quality, lesion detection, PI-RADSv2.1, eSNR, and patient comfort were evaluated by two independent observers.

Main Results:

• Superior image quality for T2WI and high b-value DWI with ERC-PAC for at least one observer.
• No significant difference in lesion detection sensitivity between ERC-PAC and PAC alone for either observer (McNemar p-values ≥0.08).
• Higher eSNR for lesions and peripheral zone (PZ) with ERC-PAC (p<0.013), but most patients reported discomfort with ERC insertion.

Conclusions:

• The rigid ERC-PAC combination improved image quality and eSNR in 3T prostate MRI.
• No significant improvement in prostate cancer lesion detection was observed.
• Routine use of rigid ERC for prostate MRI is not supported due to lack of improved detection and patient discomfort.