MR spectroscopy as a reliable diagnostic tool for localization of prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a new diagnostic tool which allows the detection of cellular metabolites. We assessed the usefulness of single- voxel MRS diagnosis for localization of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 10 patients with prostate cancer. We set I or 2 voxels at the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate where biopsy had confirmed adenocarcinoma. MRS provided metabolic information about citrate, creatine and choline levels. We calculated the ratio of these metabolites ([choline + creatine]/citrate) and judged areas where the metabolic ratio was greater than 0.86 as positive. RESULTS: Thirteen out of 19 voxels showed a cancer pattern which indicated a high choline peak and low citrate peak The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRS diagnosis of tumor localization were 84.2%, 81.3% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MRS is useful for the diagnosis of prostate cancer localization.