MRI of the prostate

Multiparametric MRI of the prostate

MRI of the prostate (prostate gland) is a highly informative method of examination that allows you to assess the structure of the gland, the presence of an inflammatory process (prostatitis) or pathological inclusions (calcifications). This method is also used to confirm or refute the presence of benign or malignant neoplasms in the gland.

Thanks to a special program, the radiologist receives a graphical curve that makes it possible to conduct a differential diagnosis of the malignancy of the process of detected neoplasms.

Indications for an MRI of the prostate:

• prophylactically, if the patient is 60 or more years old;
• with an increase in PSA (prostate-specific antigen);
• in case of bloody discharge in ejaculate or urine;
• in urinary disorders (frequent urge, pain, burning sensation when urinating, feeling of incomplete emptying in the bladder, etc.);
• to assess the quality of treatment in case of previously detected tumors, etc.

Advantages of MRI of the prostate

• Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of pelvic organs allows you to better visualize the area of the prostate gland. Compared to ultrasound and CT, this method is the most informative due to a stepwise slice of 3 mm and scanning in different planes.
• Dynamic observation of contrast agent accumulation in the prostate gland during continuous scanning at the moment of its injection into the vessel.
• A health-friendly diagnostic method.

Services

Doctors

Diagnostics

The St. Paraskeva Medical Center has a powerful radiology department with innovative diagnostic equipment of the highest world level. One of them is the latest generation 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imager Toshiba Vantage ZGV Atlas (Japan).

Preparation for the examination

Multiparametric prostate examination involves intravenous contrasting. Therefore, the anesthesiologist conducts a conversation with the patient before the examination to determine his allergic anamnesis. If the patient has no contraindications, then a peripheral catheter is placed in their vessel.

Examination

The examination begins with filling in the patient's information questionnaire and preparation before the examination: removal of outerwear, jewelry or metal structures. Personal belongings can be left in a lockable booth, and valuables in a safe. The duration of the procedure is up to 45 minutes. Before the examination, the medical staff of the MRI room informs the patient about the peculiarities of the procedure.

Directly during the examination, the patient is required to lie still. With the help of modern MRI injector Ulrich Medical Mississippi XD2000 (Germany) contrast agent is remotely injected into the patient's vessel. At the moment of contrast injection, the patient does not feel anything.

At the end of the diagnosis, the patient dresses and waits for a CD with all the images obtained during the examination. The peripheral catheter is removed from the vessel, and a disposable patch is applied to the puncture site. The patient can receive the conclusion of the radiologist by e-mail or at the reception at the St. Paraskeva Medical Center.

Contraindications to prostate MRI

• General contraindications: pacemaker, metal structures in the body that tend to be magnetized.
• Less than a month has passed since the prostate biopsy.
• Individual hypersensitivity to gadoteric acid, meglumin, or any drug containing gadolinium.
• Functional disorders of the kidneys (decreased renal clearance).