"Nowadays, contrast media is still used routinely with multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection," said study co-author Dr. Thaís Caldara Mussi, PhD, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo. "However, our study shows the similar performance of multiparametric MRI with and without dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences for clinically significant prostate cancer detection."
Mussi and colleagues enrolled more than 400 patients who underwent a routine multiparametric MRI protocol on a 3-tesla system with a phased-array coil. Two radiologists independently interpreted the images before and after contrast was administered. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for both readers were calculated using biopsy, with fused ultrasound and multiparametric MRI as the gold standard.
In the end, the researchers discovered no statistically significant difference between the two readers regarding sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of multiparametric MRI with or without contrast.
Given the lack of a significant difference, omitting contrast is "desirable due to its lower cost, faster scanning time, and increased safety for a broader range of patients," the researchers noted in their abstract.
"Our study showed that a faster and cheaper multiparametric MRI protocol can be used as the standard technique," Mussi told AuntMinnie.com. "Also, without using contrast media injection, we avoid the risk of allergic reaction, potential development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and retention in brain tissue."
