Carcinoma of the prostate gland: MR imaging with pelvic phased-array coils versus integrated endorectal--pelvic phased-array coils

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the performance of pelvic phased-array (PPA) coils and integrated endorectal PPA coils in evaluation of local extent of prostate cancer.

Materials and methods: Seventy-one men underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging within 3 weeks of radical prostatectomy. MR findings of tumor, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, nodal involvement, and stage were compared with step-sectioned (3-4-mm intervals) whole-mounted pathologic specimens. Prospective consensus versus single-reader interpretation (kappa statistics) and PPA versus integrated endorectal PPA coils (McNemar test) were compared, and a rating scale of 1-6 was developed for analysis of receiver operating characteristics. Statistical significance was calculated at delta = .05.

Results: Comparison between consensus and single-reader image interpretation showed positive but poor agreement (kappa = .38) and no statistical significance. Staging accuracy was better (difference approached significance) for integrated endorectal PPA coils (77%) than for PPA coils (68%).

Conclusion: The integrated endorectal PPA coil is better for evaluation of local prostatic cancer than is the PPA coil.