Prostate cancer in magnetic resonance imaging: diagnostic utilities of spectroscopic sequences.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our work is to determine the efficacy of a combined study 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3T MRI), with phased-array coil, for the detection of prostate cancer using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion-weighted images (DWI) in identifying doubt nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we prospectively studied 46 patients who consecutively underwent digital-rectal exploration for high doses of prostate specific antigen (PSA), as well as a MRI examination and a subsequent rectal biopsy. The study of magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a Philips Achieva 3T scanner and phased-array coil. The images were obtained with turbo spin-echo sequences T2-weighted images, T1-weighted before and after the administration of contrast medium, DWI sequences and 3D spectroscopic sequences. The ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy was performed approximately 15 days after the MRI. The data obtained from MR images and spectroscopy were correlated with histological data. RESULTS: MRI revealed sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 61% respectively and positive predictive value (PPV) of 73%, negative predicted value (NPV) of 81% and accuracy of 76%. In identifying the location of prostate cancer, the sensitivity of 3T MRS was 92%, with a specificity of 89%, PPV of 87%, NPV of 88% and accuracy of 87%; DWI showed a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 61%, PPV of 73%, NPV of 81% and accuracy of 76%. CONCLUSIONS: The 3T MR study with phased-array coil and the use of DWI and spectroscopic sequences, in addition to T2-weighted sequences, revealed to be accurate in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and in the identification of nodules to be biopsied. It may be indicated as a resolute way before biopsy in patients with elevated PSA value and can be proposed in the staging and follow-up.

Pain killers and antibacterial therapy for kidney colic and stones.

In 85% of patients, renal colic is caused by renal-ureteral stones with extrinsic obstructions such as pelvic, retroperitoneal or intestinal abnormalities, and intrinsic reno-ureteral obstructions, e.g. junction pathologies and malformation, accounting for only 10 and 5%, respectively. The objectives of therapy for renal colic therapy are to eliminate pain, preserve renal function and eliminate the obstruction by the excretory pathway. Many drugs can be used to relieve pain: non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), opioid analgesics, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), loco-regional anesthesia and acupuncture. Opiates are the first-choice therapy during pregnancy as no other drug is indicated because of tetragenic potential. Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) is the only NSAID that is registered for pediatric use because it has none of the adverse side effects that are associated with NSAIDs. Tamsulosin, an alpha-lithic drug, has very recently been included among the drugs that are used for stone expulsion. The rationale underlying its use is that a high concentration of alpha-1D adrenergic receptors has been recently detected in the terminal ureter, especially in the intramural tract. Inhibition of alpha-1D receptor stimulation should relax smooth muscle in the intramural ureteral tract, making stone expulsion easier.