Purpose: Restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging is a short duration enhanced diffusion-weighted technique that seeks to standardize sequences and predict upgrading. We test this technology for active surveillance biopsies. Our objective is to investigate the utility of restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging to improve upgrading detection in a prostate cancer active surveillance cohort.
Materials and methods: We prospectively enrolled men on active surveillance undergoing repeat biopsy from January 2016 to June 2019. Subjects underwent prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging reviewed by a urological radiologist for PI-RADS® scored lesions, followed by magnetic resonance imaging-guided prostate biopsy by a urologist. Restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging analysis with proprietary research software (CorTechs Labs, San Diego, California) generated a restricted signal map. We compared the restricted signal map and apparent diffusion coefficient values using T-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression analyses for prediction of upgrading.
Results: Of 123 enrolled men we identified 74 restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging regions of interest (targeted lesions) in 110 subjects, with 105 subjects completing biopsy. The restricted signal map was significant per PI-RADS score for true-positive lesion detection (mean difference 28, SD 0.7, p=0.001), and better than apparent diffusion coefficient (mean difference -15, SD 55, p=0.6). Restriction spectrum imaging generated restricted signal map values >50 improved sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (81.0%, 81.8%, 54.2% and 94.2%) over PI-RADS ≥3 (71.4%, 38.9%, 23.7% and 83.7%, respectively) for Gleason upgrading. Overall restriction spectrum imaging is able to improve the AUC of 0.70 (95% CI 0.49-0.92, p=0.03) to 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.98, p <0.001).
Conclusions: Restriction spectrum imaging-magnetic resonance imaging enhances the standard PI-RADS system by providing a noninvasive radiological biomarker to predict upgrading in active surveillance.
Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging; prostatic neoplasms; watchful waiting.