Diagnostic value of prostate magnetic resonance imaging in men with prostate-specific antigen levels ≥ 15 ng/mL for biopsy decision-making.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the value of MRI in men with highly elevated PSA values for the exclusion of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this retrospective bicenter cohort study, consecutive men with PSA values ≥ 15 ng/mL and multiparametric (mp) MRI were included. We excluded patients with acute prostatitis and patients without histopathology or follow-up. Examinations were evaluated regarding MRI quality, PSAD, and PI-RADS classification. For all patients with subsequent biopsy, PC and csPC detection rates were determined. In a subgroup analysis, patients with and without the presence of csPC were compared regarding clinical and MRI parameters.

RESULTS

Finally, 376 patients (median PSA 20 ng/mL) were included. MRI quality was excellent (median PI-QUAL 3). 26% of the patients revealed an MRI with a PI-RADS category 2, 16% were classified as category 3, 12% PI-RADS 4, and 46% showed a PI-RADS 5. A total of 280 patients underwent systematic screening with or without targeted prostate biopsy. Among these, 42% with PSA values ranging from 15 to 116 ng/mL (median 19.5 ng/mL) showed no presence of PC. Overall, csPC detection rates were 94% for PI-RADS 5 and 51% for PI-RADS 4. No csPC were identified in PI-RADS 2, and 8% in PI-RADS 3. Comparative analysis between patients with and without csPC revealed significant differences in age, PSA, PSAD, and PI-RADS (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

mpMRI demonstrated excellent performance in the detection of csPC in this high-risk cohort with PSA levels ≥ 15 ng/mL. High-quality MRI helps to exclude csPC in cases with significantly elevated PSA levels to avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: mpMRI demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy for csPCs in men with PSA ≥ 15 ng/mL, and in cases of non-suspicious MRI findings, it can avoid unnecessary biopsies in these patients at risk.

KEY POINTS: MpMRI demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in men with PSA values of ≥ 15 ng/mL. MpMRI enables the reliable exclusion of csPC in cases with non-suspicious MRI findings in these patients. In patients with significantly elevated PSA levels, mpMRI provides an effective risk stratification to avoid unnecessary biopsies.