Prostate MRI quality assessment using PI-QUAL version 2: Comparative analysis between 1.5 T and 3 T scanners and its...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Prostate MRI is crucial for cancer staging.
• Standardized image quality assessment is essential for reliable staging.
• Prostate Imaging Quality (PI-QUAL) version 2 offers a standardized method.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess prostate MRI image quality using PI-QUAL v2.
• Compare image quality between 1.5 T and 3 T MRI scanners.
• Evaluate the association between image quality and T-staging concordance.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 416 patients undergoing prostate MRI and radical prostatectomy.
• Image quality assessed by two radiologists using PI-QUAL v2.
• Comparison of MRI-based and pathological T-staging, with logistic regression for association analysis.

Main Results:

• Acceptable image quality (PI-QUAL v2 ≥ 2) was higher on 3 T scanners (85.8%) vs. 1.5 T (75.2%).
• Higher PI-QUAL scores were significantly associated with concordant MRI and pathological T-staging (OR, 1.59).
• Inter-observer agreement for PI-QUAL v2 was generally substantial to almost perfect.

Conclusions:

• Improved prostate MRI image quality is linked to better T-staging agreement.
• PI-QUAL v2 is a practical tool for quality assurance in prostate MRI.
• Standardized quality assessment enhances the clinical relevance of prostate MRI.