Prostate MRI vascular markers and erectile function after nerve-sparing prostatectomy

To determine whether preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-derived vascular markers are associated with baseline and postoperative erectile function (EF) and change in EF in men undergoing bilateral nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

A secondary retrospective imaging analysis was undertaken using prospectively collected cohort data. Men undergoing bilateral nerve-sparing RARP with a preoperative International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function domain score (IIEF-6) and preoperative mpMRI incorporating dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences were included. MRI-detected accessory pudendal artery (APA), prostate enhancement ratio (PER) and corporal enhancement ratio (CER) were assessed by two expert uro-radiologists. Associations with EF outcomes were examined using correlation analyses and univariable and multivariable linear regression.

Seventy-one patients (mean age 60 years) met inclusion criteria; APA was identified in 31 (43.6%). APA presence was associated with higher baseline IIEF-6 scores (mean 24.1 vs. 20.0, p = 0.043). Baseline IIEF-6 demonstrated moderate negative correlation with PER (ρ = -0.30, p = 0.014) and moderate positive correlation with CER (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.018). On multivariable analysis, APA presence (β = 5.20, p = 0.019), PER (β = -0.049, p = 0.017) and CER (β = 0.040, p = 0.049) independently predicted baseline EF. Increasing age independently predicted lower baseline IIEF-6 (β = -0.34, p = 0.017), while higher body mass index correlated with poorer 24-month IIEF-6 scores (ρ = -0.27, p = 0.046). Bilateral intrafascial/intra-interfascial nerve-sparing techniques were associated with superior 24-month EF outcomes (mean 16.8 vs. 10.5, p = 0.028). No MRI-derived marker predicted 24-month EF or EF change.

Preoperative mpMRI-derived vascular markers, particularly APA identification, independently correlate with baseline EF in men undergoing BNS RARP, supporting a contributory vascular component in post-prostatectomy ED. Prospective studies are warranted to determine whether intraoperative vascular preservation strategies, guided by preoperative MRI vascular mapping, influence functional recovery and can be integrated into surgical planning pathways.