Diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI based Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring in discriminating between non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder cancer

The purpose of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system in predicting muscle infiltration of bladder cancer (BC) on a pre-operative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

The prospective study enrolled patients with bladder lesions detected on a preliminary ultrasonography or cystoscopy. The patients underwent mpMRI on a 3T MRI scanner followed by surgery within 2 weeks. The tumours were assigned a VI-RADS score by 2 experienced abdominal radiologists. The VI-RADS score was compared with postoperative histopathological findings to confirm detrusor muscle infiltration. The diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for predicting muscle invasion was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy.

A total of 60 patients were included in the study with a male: female ratio of 4.4 : 1. Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) was performed in 47 (78.4%) and radical cystectomy in 13 (21.6%) patients. 19 (31.7%) had non-muscle invasive invasive BC (NMIBCa) and 41 (68.3%) had muscle invasive BC (MIBCa) on histopathology. There was a significant association between VI-RADS score and its components with muscle invasion (p < 0.05). A VI-RADS score of ≥ 3 had a sensitivity of 97.56% (95% CI: 0.87-0.99%), specificity of 73.68% (95% CI: 0.49-0.91), positive predictive value of 88.9% (95% CI: 0.79-0.94), negative predictive value of 93.33% (95% CI: 0.66-0.99), and diagnostic accuracy of 90% (95% CI: 0.80-0.96) for prediction of muscle invasion.

VI-RADS scoring system pre-operatively predicts the likelihood of muscle invasion in BC with a satisfactory diagnostic performance, and it should be incorporated in the diagnostic work-up of BC patients.