Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging of prostatic cancer: comparison between fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin echo and three-dimensional dual-echo, steady-state sequences

The aim of this study was to develop an endorectal MRI strategy for prostat ic cancer. We evaluated the MR images from 44 consecutive prostatic cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy. Each sequence from every examina tion was assessed separately with a specific tumor map drawn. Tumor localiz ation, capsular penetration, and seminal vesicle invasion were marked on ma ps on the basis of T2 and DESS (dual-echo steady-state) sequences. Thirty p atients also had T1-weighted images, and these were assessed with regard to possible tumor outgrowth. The maps were compared with histopathological fi ndings from radical prostatectomy specimens. According to our study, DESS e qualed T2 in every respect. No statistically significant or seminal vesicle invasion. DESS is a potential new sequence in prostatic MRI as it has been proven to parallel the routinely used T2-weighted imaging.