Quantitative analysis of dynamic-contrast MRI for the assessment of prostate cancer in the transition zone

Differentiating prostate cancer (PCa) in the transition zone (TZ) from benign prostate hyperplasia based on MRI findings has often been challenging. This study aims to evaluate the utility of a quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using time-resolved angiography with stochastic trajectories‒volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (TWIST-VIBE) in cases of PCa in the TZ.

In this retrospective study, we examined the biopsy findings of 23 patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (>4 ng/mL) who underwent DCE-MRI using TWIST-VIBE. The parameters analyzed included K^trans (the transfer constant), K^ep (the reflux constant), Ve (the extravascular extracellular volume fraction), and the initial area under the curve on the Tissue 4D platform (Siemens).

The quantitative analysis revealed no significant differences in any of the examined parameters between positive and negative PCa in the TZ. Additionally, there were no significant differences among the histological grades of PCa in the TZ.

A quantitative analysis of findings obtained by DCE-MRI using TWIST-VIBE did not yield statistically significant results for differentiating the status of PCa in the TZ. However, DCE-MRI using TWIST-VIBE, an ultrafast DCE-MRI technique, may be useful for evaluating tumor hemodynamics and assessing the size dependence of prostate cancer lesions in the transition zone.