Key words
prostate - biopsy - interventional MR
Introduction
As many as one in six men in Europe is estimated to be diagnosed during their lifetime
with prostate cancer (PCa) [1]. As in other cancers, early diagnosis of PCa is very important with regard to outcome
and survival. The current diagnostic tools are digital rectal examination (DRE) with
a sensitivity of about 37 % for cancer detection [2]; serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements; and transrectal ultrasound-guided
biopsy (TRUS). This latter technique of prostate examination has limitations due to
sampling errors, which result in the inability to detect more than 20 % of cancers
in the first session [3]. Specific regions, such as the anterior part of the prostate, where more than 25 %
of carcinomas occur, are insufficiently sampled by TRUS due to limitations in range
with this method [4]. Another problem linked with TRUS is the over- or underestimation of the Gleason
score, because of unreliable information about the volume, extent, and aggressiveness
of prostate cancer [5]. Inaccurate Gleason scoring with TRUS results from sampling errors and is not due
to the identification of the most clinically visible lesions with the biopsy needle
[6].
In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly used for the
diagnosis of PCa. The use of MRI allows an exact delineation of the zonal anatomy
of the prostate and its surrounding structures, and thus improves the detection of
lesions suspected of being cancerous. MRI has also increased the opportunities for
image-guided techniques like magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy (MRGB), the
cancer detection rates of which are noticeably higher than TRUS, ranging from 38 %
to 59 % [7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]. The literature focuses more on the detection rate of PCa with MRGB than on the
outcomes of patients whose biopsy results showed a benign growth histology [14]
[15]
[16].
The purpose of our study was: a) to evaluate the detection rate of clinically significant
PCa after MRGB; b) to monitor the patient cohort with a negative MRGB; and c) to compare
our own results with the current literature.
Materials and Methods
Patients
Our institutional review board waived the informed consent requirement and approved
this retrospective study. Data were collected from our institutional database and
from 41 consecutive patients with a median age of 65 years (range 44 – 75) who had
44 MRGBs (3/41 patients had a second biopsy during follow-up) and also underwent MRI
examination before biopsy of the prostate between June 2007 and July 2012. There was
an inter-patient variation in the number and protocol of previous negative TRUS sessions
in our study. Eighteen patients had just one prior biopsy, eleven had two, seven had
three, and two had four negative TRUS biopsies. Only three patients had no prior biopsy.
Exclusion criteria were the contraindications for MRI (e. g., cardiac pacemaker, metallic
implants, and claustrophobia).
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The MRI examinations from 2007 through 2009 (30 patients) were performed on a clinical
1.5 T scanner (Avanto; Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) with the use
of an endorectal coil (eCoil™, Medrad, Pittsburgh/PA, USA) as described earlier [8]
[17]
[18]
[19]. From 2010 to 2012, all MRI scans were performed on a 3.0 T scanner (Tim Trio; Siemens
Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) using an endorectal coil. In six patients no endorectal
coil was used. In patients in whom no coil was used, the rectum was filled with ultrasonic
gel to avoid artifacts. The MRI protocol consists of a high-resolution T2w sequence
in all three dimensions, axial diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with b-values of 0,
100, 400, and 800 sec/mm2, a contrast-enhanced 3D-T1-weighted sequence before and after the application of
a standard dose of Gd-DOTA (Dotarem®, Guerbet, France) (dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging – DCE-MRI), and MR spectroscopy
[5]
[11]
[16]. Two radiologists (T. H.H, P. B.) with 12 years and 6 years of prostate MRI experience,
respectively, evaluated the MRI examinations. During MRI reading, the clinical data
were available for both readers. Cancer-suspicious regions were defined using T2WI
in combination with DWI, DCE-MRI, and MR spectroscopy as described by Hambrock et
al. [12]. A lesion was defined as suspicious in the case of: low signal intensity areas in
the peripheral zone, within the transition zone, a homogeneous low T2 signal intensity
area with ill-defined margins or a lenticular shape. After identification of tumor-suspicious
areas on T2w images, the ADC maps and mp pharmacokinetic DCE-MRI-derived Ktrans color maps were evaluated for corresponding suspicious findings. The above-mentioned
imaging results were classified according to PI-RADS [20]
[21].
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Biopsy
Four different radiologists performed MRGB. Two-thirds of all MRGBs were performed
by the same radiologist, and the remaining MRGBs were performed under his supervision.
MRGB of the prostate was performed on average 38.5 days after the initial MRI. For
oral antibiotic prophylaxis, all patients received antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin,
500 mg (Ciproxin, Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany) for five days starting two days before
the procedure. All patients were placed in the prone position in a closed 1.5 T MR
unit (Magnetom Vision, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) and the needle guide
was inserted rectally using a 3 D manipulating, MR-compatible biopsy device (Invivo
Corp., Gainesville, FL, USA). MRGB was performed on the previously determined cancer-suspicious
regions using a 18G MRI-compatible needle. The biopsy kit consists of a base plant,
a clamp stand and a sterile, single-use and disposable needle slave. The needle guide
can be mechanically angled by hand in all three directions and then fed, under MR
guidance, to the lesion to be punctured. A high-resolution T2w sequence was acquired
as a baseline image for targeting (TR = 5400 ms, TE = 112 ms, flip angle = 150º, matrix = 120 × 100,
slice thickness = 3 mm, field of view = 250 × 250 mm). Before obtaining the specimens
from the prostate, a control scan was performed, leaving the MRI-compatible needle
in the tumor-suspicious area, to display the correct position. The median duration
time from patient positioning to intervention completion was 50 min (45 – 55 min).
Biopsy tissue cores were fixed in formalin and stained with hematoxilin-eosin. In
each patient a minimum of five cores (range five to ten) from the suspicious area
was obtained. The number of biopsy cores taken was dependent on the size of the cancer-suspicious
lesion. A urogenital histopathologist with more than 20 years of experience performed
the histopathological evaluation. For cores containing cancer, a Gleason grade was
determined using the 2005 International Society of Urogenital Pathology (ISUP) criteria
[22]. The primary, secondary, and tertiary Gleason grades were determined and the highest
Gleason grade was identified. In patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, PCa was
considered clinically significant if any of the following criteria were present: total
tumor volume, 0.5 cc or more; Gleason grade, 4 or more; extra-prostatic extension;
seminal vesicle invasion; lymph node metastasis (of PCa); or positive surgical margins
[23].
Data analysis and follow-up
In all patients, the MRGB histopathological results were correlated with the MRI findings
and discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting, which was attended by the radiologist,
the urologist, the pathologist and the radiotherapist to determine either treatment
planning or the next appropriate procedure.
In patients with malignant biopsy results, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy was
performed. In case of surgery, the findings from the MRI and the MRGB were verified
with the histopathological, whole-mount step-section preparation.
Patients with benign biopsy results were subjected to active surveillance with continuous
urological examinations and continuous PSA measurements for at least 12 months. Three
patients were excluded because the follow-up time was inadequate. In patients with
rising PSA levels, MRI and MRGB were performed again.
The data for follow-up were obtained from our institutional database. All relevant
parameters, clinical history, complications, histology, Gleason score, PSA values,
and mode of therapy were collected.
Review of the literature
A systematic literature search was performed using the medical databases Pubmed and
Embase. The goal was to compare our data from MRGB prostate intervention with the
recent literature. The key words “MRI-guided prostate biopsy” and “MR-guided prostate
biopsy” were used as search terms. The search was limited to a period starting in
January 2002 and ending in February 2013, because techniques and equipment have changed
since then. Only original investigations published in English and German were included
in the comparison. There were 527 results identified by the two databases. Two reviewers
(P. B., S. H. P.) independently reviewed all abstracts for relevance with respect
to the predefined search question. The results included 17 publications. Almost more
than 500 of the publications had to be excluded because they did not report MRGB results
or were not original reports. These publications were all evaluated with respect to
the number of patients, the detection rate of clinically significant cancers, patient
age, the examination time and unit, whether the biopsy was performed with an open
or closed system, the needle size, the position of the patient in the MR device, the
biopsy access path, and the reported complications and follow-up of patients with
negative biopsies, if available.
Statistical analysis
Medians and ranges were used to present the continuous patient data (age and PSA)
and categorical data were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. Statistical
analysis was performed using the MS office 2008 Excel statistical package (Microsoft).
Results
The PSA level ranged from 0.99 to 30.3 ng/ml (median 9.89 ng/ml). The median number
of previous TRUS-guided biopsies was one (range 0 – 4). Three patients had no prior
biopsy, eighteen had just one, eleven had two, seven had three, and two had four negative
TRUS biopsies. In total, 44 MRGBs were performed in 41 patients. Three of these patients
had a second biopsy because new suspicious lesions were detected on MRI. The cancer-suspicious
regions were technically successfully biopsied in all cases, as determined by imaging
([Fig. 1]). The median duration time for the whole procedure was 50 min (45 – 55 min). No
major complications warranting hospitalization occurred. All patients tolerated the
biopsies and no peri- or post-interventional complications were reported ([Fig. 2]).
Fig. 1 MRI of the prostate from a 71-year-old patient with a PSA level of 6.4 ng/ml and
one prior negative TRUS biopsy. a Axial T2-weighted image shows a cancer-suspicious region on the left side with low
signal intensity of the peripheral zone (arrow). b Consecutive axial diffusion-weighted MR. c Apparent diffusion coefficient map shows restricted diffusion (arrow). d Axial dynamic contrast-enhanced MR image with a color-coded overlay shows intense
early enhancement of the lesion (arrow). e MRSI map shows elevated choline/citrate ratio in the suspicious region (arrow). f Histopathological evaluation after radical prostatectomy.
Abb. 1 MRT der Prostata eines 71-jährigen Patienten mit einem PSA-Wert von 6.4 ng/ml und
vorangegangener negativer TRUS- Biopsie. a Axiales T2-gewichtetes Bild mit einem tumorverdächtigem Areal mit erniedrigte Signalintensität
in der peripheren Zone links (Pfeil). b Korrelierende diffusionsgewichtete Sequenz (DWI): Fokales hyperintenses Areal (Pfeil),
c mit reduzierten apparenten Diffusionskoeffizienten (ADC) (Pfeil) d In der dynamischen kontrastmittelverstärkten Sequenz (DCE) zeigt sich eine fokale
Mehrdurchblutung (Pfeil) e sowie in der 1H-Spektroskopie ein erhöhtes Verhältnis Cho>> Citrat. f Histologisches Präparat nach radikaler Prostatektomie.
Fig. 2 MRGB of the prostate from the patient shown in [Fig. 1]. a Coronal, b axial and c sagittal T2-weighted images after insertion of the needle guide in the rectum. Pathology
confirmed a PCa with a Gleason score of 7 (4 + 3) in the lesion in the peripheral
zone. d Controll scan with the MRI compatible biopsy needle.
Abb. 2 MRGB der Prostata des zuvor gezeigten Patienten ([Abb. 1]). a Coronale, b axiale und c sagittale T2-gewichtete Bilder nach Positionierung der Nadelführung im Rektum. Die
Histologie bestätigte ein PCa in der peripheren Zone mit einem Gleason Score von 7
(4 + 3). Kontrollscan mit MRT-kompatibler Biopsienadel.
The results of the histopathological examination of the MRGBs are summarized in [Table 1]. In eleven patients (26.9 %) the specimen obtained using MRGB turned out to be cancerous.
Nine of these eleven patients with a detectable PCa underwent radical prostatectomy
and two underwent external beam radiation. The median Gleason score was 7 (range 6 – 9).
PCa was seen in nine cases in the peripheral zone (82 %), one case in the transition
zone (9 %), and one case in the central zone (9 %).
Table 1
MRGB histopathology results (n = 44).
Benign Histology
|
33 (74.4 %)
|
Prostatitis
|
17
|
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
|
4
|
Benign, not otherwise specified
|
12
|
Prostate cancer
|
11 (25.6 %)
|
|
5
|
|
4
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
Histopathology revealed benign results in the 33 biopsies in 30 patients (3 patients
had a second biopsy). In 17 of these biopsies (51.5 %), histopathology revealed prostatitis.
Benign hyperplasia was detected in five biopsies (15.2 %), and eleven (33.3 %) histopathological
biopsy results were normal parenchyma. These 30 patients with benign histology results
were monitored actively. Three patients were excluded because of a follow-up period
of less than 12 months. The mean follow-up period for the remaining 27 patients was
3.1 years (range 12 – 62 months). During follow-up, PSA measurements were obtained
from every patient, and the median level was 6.1 ng/ml (range 0.2 – 10.2 ng/ml; and
one outlier 57.0 ng/ml). Five patients underwent further MR imaging, and three patients
were biopsied twice and again with a benign histology result, and with no change during
active surveillance. Following 62 months, no PCa was detected in the patient group
of 27 men with a prior negative MRGB.
An overview of the literature including our own results appraising MRGB is summarized
in [Table 2]. Overall a total number of 908 MRGBs in 898 patients were performed and 403 cases
of PCa were detected. The detection rate for clinically significant cancer (CSC) ranged
from 80.8 – 100 %. The intervention time for MRGB was between 19 – 120 min (median
50 min). Almost all MRGBs were performed on a closed 1.5 or 3.0 T unit with a 16-
or 18-gauge (G) needle. In only one study the biopsy was performed in an open low-field
0.2 T system. In 14 studies, the transrectal approach was used, whereas in three studies,
the transgluteal approach was used with a 15 G needle and in one the transperineal
approach was described. The patients’ position was prone, supine or lateral in closed
systems and, in the open system, the position used for biopsy was lateral decubitus.
Four studies described a follow-up between 0.4 – 3.1 years of the patients under active
surveillance. The detection rates for cancer during follow-up ranged between 0.0 %
and 10.8 %.
Table 2
Details of MR-guided biopsy from all included studies (systematic review of the literature
and own results).
author
|
patients
|
age
|
PCa
|
PSA (ng/ml)
|
examination time
|
biopsy MR unit
|
MR imaging unit
|
way
|
needle
|
position
|
follow-up
|
rayte for PCa detection after MRGB
|
Bodelle et al. 2013
|
25
|
65.7
|
9
|
8.3
|
31 min
|
1.5 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tg
|
15G
|
lateral
|
n/a
|
0.0 %
|
Wolter et al.
2013
|
1
|
73
|
1
|
12.9
|
n/a
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tp
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
0.0 %
|
Schwab et al. 2012
|
50
|
66
|
25
|
8.57
|
n/a
|
1.5 T and 3.0 T
|
1.5 T and 3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
supine
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Hoeks et al. 2012
|
265
|
66.0
|
108
|
11.4
|
44 min
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
0.4y
|
6.0 %
|
Schouten et al. 2012
|
13
|
n/a
|
3
|
14.5
|
76 min
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Engehausen et al. 2012
|
96
|
66.2
|
39
|
9.4
|
40 – 60 min
|
1.0 and 1.5 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
16G
|
supine
|
3.1y
|
10.4 %
|
Roetke et al. 2011
|
100
|
64.9
|
52
|
11.7
|
n/a
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Zangos et al. 2011
|
20
|
65.1
|
3
|
> 4.0
|
39 min
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tg
|
15G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Franiel et al. 2011
|
54
|
68.0
|
21
|
12.1
|
55 min
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Hambrock et al. 2011
|
34
|
66.0
|
34
|
12.0
|
29 min
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yakar et al. 2011
|
9
|
69.0
|
5
|
19.5
|
76.5 min
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Hambrock et al. 2010
|
68
|
68
|
40
|
13.0
|
30 min
|
3.0 T
|
3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Hambrock et al. 2008
|
21
|
62
|
8
|
15.0
|
35 min
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Engelhard et al. 2006
|
37
|
66.0
|
14
|
10.8
|
120 min
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
16G
|
supine
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Anastasiadis et al. 2006
|
27
|
66.0
|
15
|
10.2
|
n/a
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Beyersdorf et al. 2005
|
12
|
64
|
5
|
10.0
|
55 min
|
1.5 T
|
1.5 T
|
Tr
|
16G
|
prone
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Zangos et al. 2005
|
25
|
61.9
|
10
|
11.8
|
19 min
|
0.2 T open system
|
0.2 T open system
|
Tg
|
15G
|
lateral decubitus
|
0.8y
|
8.0 %
|
Own results
|
41
|
64.7
|
11
|
8.3
|
45 – 55 min
|
1.5 Tesla
|
1.5 and 3.0 T
|
Tr
|
18G
|
prone
|
3.1y
|
0.0 %
|
Tr: Transrectal; Tg: Transgluteal; Tp: Transperineal; CSC: Clinically Significant
Cancer; PCa: Prostate Cancer; T: Tesla; G: Gauge; y: Years;
Discussion
The results of the present study demonstrate that MRGB is a reliable, safe, and accurate
method for the detection of clinically significant cancer and for ruling out cancer
in patients with a negative biopsy, since no new PCa was diagnosed during surveillance.
In addition our results are in accordance with the results reported in the literature
including more than 908 biopsies of the prostate.
One of the main interventional methods for the diagnosis of PCa is TRUS-guided biopsy.
A sensitivity of 39 – 52 % and a specificity of 81 – 82 % are reported when TRUS is
applied as a sextant biopsy [24]. However, about 20 % of cases of PCa are not detected at the first biopsy session.
The cancer detection rate for TRUS-guided biopsy in the second session is reportedly
22 % [25].
MRI as a diagnostic tool for PCa has been established in the recent years. It allows
an exact delineation of the zonal anatomy of the prostate and also an improved detection
rate of cancer-suspicious regions. The use of MRI has increased the opportunities
for image-guided techniques like MRGB, cancer detection rates of which are noticeably
higher than the detection rates of TRUS, ranging from 38 % to 59 %. TRUS biopsy has
limitations due to sampling errors, which result in the inability to detect more than
20 % of cancers in the first session [3]. Specific regions, such as the anterior part of the prostate, where more than 25 %
of carcinomas occur, are insufficiently sampled by TRUS due to limitations in range
with this method [4]. Another problem linked with TRUS is the over- or underestimation of the Gleason
score, because of unreliable information about the volume, extent, and aggressiveness
of prostate cancer [5]. Inaccurate Gleason scoring with TRUS results from sampling errors and is not due
to the identification of the most clinically visible lesions with the biopsy needle
[6].
In our study group of 41 consecutive patients, PCa was detected in 27 % of the cases.
This is slightly lower compared to other MRGB studies reporting a diagnostic accuracy
ranging between 38 – 59 % [5]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[18]
[19]
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30]. This could have been due to the fact that we included consecutive patients in our
study and not solely patients with a high risk profile for PCa [18]. In our study patients with a low risk profile for PCa had solely a suspicious finding
on diagnostic MRI and low PSA and the majority had no or just one TRUS.
It is evident that performing MRGB is more expensive than TRUS. However, an increase
in diagnostic accuracy resulting in an optimal treatment decision is beneficial with
regards to the cost-utility ratio. [32].
In agreement with the literature, a large proportion of the benign findings in our
study was prostatitis which is the most prevalent histopathological diagnosis in patients
with negative biopsy specimens. To overcome this limitation, we are currently performing
MR imaging scans at 3.0 T, taking full advantage of high-resolution and multimodality
imaging [31].
Hence, the detection rate for clinically significant cancer in our study is 100 %.
This is in accordance with and even higher than observed in the review of the literature
[12]
[14]
[15]
[18]
[19]
[29]. This emphasizes the capability of MRGB to diagnose clinically significant cancer
in patients after negative TRUS.
Another issue is the patient group with negative MRGB results and benign histology.
The most prevalent benign histology in negative biopsy specimens was prostatitis.
In fact, the detection rate with MRI is mainly limited by the differentiation of malignant
lesions and inflammation. However, it is important to evaluate the cases in which
PCa was not detected. Hence, 27 of the patients with benign histology were followed
for a median time of 3.1 years, and no new PCa was found during this period. Lane
and collaborators reported that cancer was detected in 24 % of patients during repeated
TRUS for persistent clinical signs of PCa [33]. The rate of missed cancer in MRGB studies is reported at 6 % in a paper published
by Hoeks et al., with a mean follow-up of only five months [15]. These data are comparable to the results of Engehausen et al. [14]. In the latter study, 10.4 % of cancers were missed using MRGB, assuming that these
carcinomas were already present at the time of MRI intervention and were not de novo
neoplasias [14]. The follow-up period was three years in our study. These results demonstrate that
after a negative MRGB, patients have a lower probability of a carcinoma developing
during this time interval.
Intervention time is a major concern with MRGB, since the clinical use of this technique
is limited by the rather long procedure times involved. The duration of MRGB in a
closed system with a transrectal examination at our institution (45 – 55 min) is similar
to the duration published in the literature (29 – 76 min) [7]
[8]
[10]
[12]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[28]
[29]
[34]. Only Zangos et al., 2005, reported a 19-minute procedure in an open low-field system
with a transgluteal examination. Applying this latter approach in a closed system,
the procedure time required by Zangos and co-workers from the time of patient entry
to the biopsy unit until completion was also 39 min, which is comparable to the results
of our present study as well as those of previously chronicled examinations [19]
[28], albeit a reduction in intervention time has been observed in other studies due
to acquired skill and improved efficiency [28]. In addition, needle-guided tracking systems and implementation of robotics may
improve these limitations. Comparing the intervention time of MRGB (~45 min) and TRUS
(~25), it should be noted that due to the limitation of the longer intervention time,
MRGB cannot be recommend as a first-line biopsy method.
As mentioned above, the combination of MRI-guided and robotic-assisted prostate biopsy
will be an important and promising technique in the future. The advantage of a robotic
device is that the patient does not have to be moved in and out of the MRI scanner
during the biopsy session, which decreases the procedure time, enhances patient comfort,
and improves needle positioning [26]. The examination methods used for robotic-assisted biopsies are transgluteal and
transrectal, and the intervention time for these methods ranges between 39 min and
76 min [16]
[28]
[34].
A limitation of our study that should be reported is the inconsistent imaging protocol
for the MRI examinations prior to biopsy. The MRI scans were performed on two different
imaging devices, i. e., 1.5 T and 3.0 T units, and the examinations were carried out
with and without an endorectal coil. However, our principle investigation was to evaluate
MRGB and the follow-up of the patient cohort with benign histopathology results and
not to accurately stage prostate cancer with multiparametric MRI. Another limitation
is that our follow-up protocol was not consistent for each patient. We are aware of
these limitations, learned from these retrospective analyses and changed our follow-up
protocol accordingly.
In conclusion, our study demonstrates that MRGB is a promising alternative diagnostic
tool for clinically significant PCa, which is in accordance with recent literature.
More importantly, in the follow-up of our patients with benign biopsy results, no
new PCa was detected. Although the probability of developing a PCa after negative
MRGB is very low, active surveillance is reasonable.