Three- dimensional- 1H- magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging study of benign and malignant prostatic diseases by Philips 1.5T dual-gradient magnetic resonance scanner

Abstract

Objective To study the feasibility of three- dimensional 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (3D-1H-MRS) imaging for benign and malignant prostatic diseases using Philips 1.5T dual-gradient magnetic resonance scanner (Philips Intera 1.5T Achieva Nova-Dual MR). Methods The cardiac phase array coil and three-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (3D-MRS) brain software of Philips 1.5T dual- gradient magnetic resonance scanner (Holland) were used to detect the prostate in 12 healthy volunteers from April to July, 2008. Various imaging parameters of 3D-1H-MRS were obtained. Thereafter, 3D-1H-MRS detection was performed in 12 cases of clinicopathology-confirmed prostate cancers, 32 cases of biopsy- or laboratory-identified prostatitis and 24 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia from July 2008 to January 2009. The results of 3D-1H-MRS imaging on healthy volunteers and 68 cases of prostatic diseases were analyzed and compared. Results Clear 3D-1H-MRS imaging of the prostate was obtained. In the MRS maps of prostate in various benign and malignant prostatic diseases and healthy volunteers, the chemical shift of the resonance choline (cho) peak was located at 3.25 ppm, creatin (cre) peak at 3.06 ppm, and citrate (cit) peak at 2.65 ppm. The maps of peripheral region in benign prostate diseases (prostatitis and prostatic hyperplasia) and normal prostate showed higher cho peak in close adjacency to a lower cre peak, and the highest cit peak. A highest cho peak, a lower cre peak and a significantly lowered cit peak were seen in the map of prostatic cancer. The ratios of (cho+cre) over cit were 0.55±0.21, 4.02±1.96, 0.64+0.22 and 0.43± 0.14 in prostatitis, prostatic cancer, prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate tissue respectively, with statistical difference between prostatic cancer and other types of prostatic tissues (P 0.05). Conclusion Philips 1.5T dual-gradient magnetic resonance scanner may be useful for 3D-1H-MRS of the prostate which yields distinct pictures and accurate findings. Key words: Prostate; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Prostatic neoplasms ; Prostatic hyperplasia; Prostatis