Ultrasound echogenicity is complementary to PI-RADS for risk stratification of clinically significant prostate cancer

The combination of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) and ultrasound-guided fusion biopsy is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for diagnosing prostate cancer. However, up to 80% of PI-RADS 3 lesions and 50% of PI-RADS 4 lesions are benign. This study evaluates whether lesion echogenicity observed during MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy is associated with detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).

In this retrospective analysis (March 2017-February 2022), we reviewed patients who underwent both standard 12-core random biopsies and targeted MP-MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies at our institution. Lesions were categorized as strongly hypoechoic, weakly hypoechoic, or non-hypoechoic based on ultrasound echogenicity. CsPCa was defined as a Gleason score ≥7.

Among 222 biopsy patients, 59.3% were diagnosed with PCa, and 68% had csPCa. Of 420 lesions, 19.1% were strongly hypoechoic (45% csPCa), 29.5% were weakly hypoechoic (25% csPCa), and 51.4% were non-hypoechoic (11.8% csPCa) (p < 0.001). Echogenicity improved csPCa detection for PI-RADS ≤ 3 lesions from 7.5% (non-hypoechoic) to 27.5% (strongly hypoechoic), for PI-RADS 4 from 13.1% to 35.1%, and for PI-RADS 5 from 42% to 63.5%. The ROC analysis demonstrated AUCs of 0.6958 for PI-RADS, 0.6929 for echogenicity, and 0.7434 for their combination (all p < 0.001).

Lesion echogenicity observed during MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy enhances csPCa detection and complements PI-RADS scoring. Incorporating echogenicity into risk assessment may improve biopsy decision-making and diagnostic accuracy.