Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate: An Update

ABSTRACT

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) has emerged as an important tool for the detection and characterization of prostatic lesions. It now plays a quintessential role in the surveillance, diagnosis, and staging of prostate cancer (PCa), as well as for the detection of local recurrence. As reliance on serum prostate-specific antigen has declined in the recent times, mp-MRI has emerged as the go-to tool for urologists all over the world. Hence, for the clinician, it has become necessary to be well versed with the technique, image interpretation, and fallacies of mp-MRI. Since mp-MRI has the advantage of better contrast resolution, combining PSMA PET (prostate-specific membrane antigen–positron emission tomography) with MRI could provide additional functional information. However, due to the absence of enough evidence supporting its routine use, mp-MRI still has the unsurpassed role in the initial diagnosis and local staging of PCa.