Phased-array magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate with correlation to radical prostatectomy specimens: local experience.

Purpose: To evaluate local experience of phased-array magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the staging of locally advanced prostate carcinoma with comparison to clinical staging.

Methods: The study population was 21 patients who underwent preoperative MRI with pelvic phased-array coils followed by radical prostatectomy. The MRI findings were correlated with completely embedded serially sliced and whole-mounted sections of the prostate gland and clinical staging.

Results: Overall accuracy of 57.1% was obtained, with specificity of 90.0% and sensitivity of 27.3%. All but one case of locally advanced disease missed by MRI was microscopic. Clinical staging in these cases also achieved accuracy of 57.1%, specificity of 90.0% and sensitivity of 27.3%.

Conclusions: MRI with a phased-array coil has high specificity but low sensitivity for detection of extraprostatic disease. Phased-array MRI does not image microscopic tumour extension. It did not perform better than clinical staging and is not recommended for routine staging.