BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA - VALUE OF MR-IMAGING FOR DETERMINING HISTOLOGIC TYPE

PURPOSE: To assess the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for de termining the histologic type of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). M ATERIALS AND METHODS: Unenhanced T1- amd T2-weighted images and gadoli nium-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained in the transverse plane at 1.5 T in 33 patients with BPH. Hyperphasia was classified as strom al or nonstromal. Nonstromal hyperplasia was diagnosed if (a) the nodu les in the inner gland Had heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-w eighted images and peripheral enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced image s, (b) a surgical capsule was present, or (c) the inner gland volume t o total volume ratio was greater than 0.75. RESULTS: A correct diagnos is was made with MR imaging in 23 of 24 patients with nonstromal hyper plasia and eight of nine with stromal hyperplasia (94% accuracy). In n onstromal hyperplasia, nodular lesions were seen in 20 patients and a surgical capsule was seen in 19. Eighteen patients had a transition zo ne ratio greater than 0.75. CONCLUSION: MR imaging appears to be usefu l for choosing the type of pharmacotherapy performed because accurate histologic assessment is possible.