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Objectives T o evaluate the value of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for the prediction of prostate cancer (PCA) aggressiveness. Methods In this single center cohort study, consecutive patients with histologically confirmed PCA were retrospectively enrolled. Four different ISUP grade groups (1, 2, 3, 4–5) were defined and fifty patients per group were included. Several clinical (age, PSA, PSAD, percentage of PCA infiltration) and mpMRI parameters (ADC value, signal increase on high b-value images, diameter, extraprostatic extension [EPE], cross-zonal growth) were evaluated and correlated within the four groups. Based on combined descriptors, MRI grading groups (mG1–mG3) were defined to predict PCA aggressiveness. Results In total, 200 patients (mean age 68 years, median PSA value 8.1 ng/ml) were analyzed. Between the four groups, statistically significant differences could be shown for age, PSA, PSAD, and for MRI parameters cross-zonal growth, high b-value signal increase, EPE, and ADC (p p p = 0.09). A mixed linear model demonstrated the strongest prediction of the respective ISUP grade group for the MRI grading system (p Conclusions MpMRI yields relevant pre-biopsy information about PCA aggressiveness. A combination of quantitative and qualitative parameters (MRI grading groups) provided the best prediction of the biopsy ISUP grade group and may improve clinical pathway and treatment planning, adding useful information beyond PI-RADS assessment category. Due to the high prevalence of higher grade PCA in patients within mG3, an early re-biopsy seems indicated in cases of negative or post-biopsy low-grade PCA. Key Points • MpMRI yields relevant pre-biopsy information about prostate cancer aggressiveness. • MRI grading in addition to PI-RADS classification seems to be helpful for a size independent early prediction of clinically significant PCA. • MRI grading groups may help urologists in clinical pathway and treatment planning, especially when to consider an early re-biopsy.

To determine the capability of Gadolinium-free arterial spin labelling (ASL) sequences as novel, contrast-free, non-invasive alternative perfusion imaging method to differentiate prostate cancer (PCA) from benign prostate tissue compared to conventional DCE MRI.Thirty men with histologically confirmed PCA were included in this prospectively enrolled single center cohort study. All patients received multiparametric MRI (T2, DWI, DCE) at 3 T with additional ASL of the PCA lesion. Primary endpoint was differentiability of PCA versus benign prostate tissue by signal intensities (SI) and contrast ratios (CR) in ASL in comparison to DCE. For DCE also Signal-Enhancement-Ratio (SER) of native and early contrast enhancement SI was assessed. Secondary objectives were differences regarding PCA localisation in peripheral (PZ) or transition zone (TZ) and PCA detection.In both, ASL and DCE, average SI of PCA differed significantly from SI in benign tissue in the TZ and PZ (p 0,01, respectively). ASL had significantly higher CR discerning PCA and benign tissue in PZ and TZ (PZ = 5.19; TZ = 6.45) compared to DCE SI (PZ = 1.61; TZ = 1.43) and DCE SER (PZ = 1.59; TZ = 1.43) (p 0.01, respectively). In subjective evaluation, PCA could be detected in ASL in 28 patients, compared to 29 in DCE.ASL had significantly higher CR differentiating PCA from benign tissue in PZ and TZ compared to DCE. Visual detection of PCA does not differ significantly between the two sequences. As perfusion gadolinium-based contrast media is seen more critical in the last few years, ASL seems to be a promising alternative to DCE in PCA detection.

This study analyzes the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE) of the prostate on 1.5 T and 3 T examinations in patients within PI-RADS category 4.In this retrospective, bi-centric, cohort study all consecutive patients classified as PI-RADS 4 in mpMRI with 100 verified prostate cancers (PCa) in subsequent MRI/US-guided fusion biopsy were included for 1.5 T and 3 T, each. PCa detection in index lesions (IL) upgraded to PI-RADS 4 based on positive DCE findings was compared between 1.5 T and 3 T. Secondary objectives are subgroup analysis of PZ lesions and comparison of ISUP grade group distribution between 1.5 T and 3 T.In total, 293 patients within PI-RADS category 4, including 152 (mean 66 ± 8y; median PSA 6.4 ng/ml;116 PZ IL) in the 1.5 T group and 141 (mean 65 ± 8y; median PSA 7.2 ng/ml;100 PZ IL) in the 3 T group were included. Overall amount of PCa (66 % vs 71 %; p = 0.346) and portion of upgraded IL (28 % vs 21 %; p = 0.126) did not differ significantly. At 1.5 T PCa detection was higher in upgraded PZ lesions compared to 3 T (23 % vs 14 %; p = 0.048). The amount of upgraded PZ lesions with ISUP grade group 2-5 PCa was significantly higher at 1.5 T versus 3 T (13.8 % vs 4.0 %; p = 0.007). 33 % (11/33; 1.5 T) and 32 % (10/31; 3 T) of the ISUP grade group 1 PCa of the PZ lesions were detected in upgraded lesions (10% of all PZ index lesions, respectively).DCE enabled the detection of a substantial amount of additional clinically significant PCa in prostate mpMRI at 1.5 T. The effect was smaller at 3 T and was accompanied in relation to 1.5 T by higher risk of overdiagnosis due to detection of additional low-risk PCa.

To evaluate if follow-up mpMRI scans of patients in PI-RADS category 3 are safe enough to omit or delay prostate biopsy in the future and to determine an optimal control interval. This retrospective single center study includes consecutive PI-RADS category 3 patients with one or more follow-up mpMRI (T2WI, DWI, DCE) and subsequent MRI-targeted and systematic TRUS-guided biopsy between 2012 and 2018. Primary study objective was the verification of a significant PI-RADS category upgrade in follow-up mpMRI in patients with subsequent PCA positive biopsy versus patients with negative biopsy. Further objectives were development of the PI-RADS category and clinical parameters between initial and follow-up mpMRI in the context of histopathologic results and time interval. Eighty-nine patients (median PSA 6.6 ng/ml; PSAD 0.13 ng/ml/ml) were finally included (follow-up period 31 ± 18 months). 19 cases had PCA (median PSA 7.8 ng/ml; PSAD 0.14 ng/ml/ml). 4 cases had csPCA (median PSA 5.4 ng/ml; PSAD 0.13 ng/ml/ml) for which there was a significant PI-RADS upgrade after 12–24 months (mean 3.75; p = 0.01) compared to patients without PCA (mean 2.74). Without PCA the mean PI-RADS category decreased after 25–36 months (mean 2.74; p = 0.02). Clinical parameters did not change significantly except a PSAD increase for PCA patients after 24 months. Patients within PI-RADS category 3 may not need prompt biopsy since those with PCA reliably demonstrate a PI-RADS category upgrade in follow-up mpMRI after 12–24 months. PI-RADS 3 patients with negative biopsy do not benefit from follow-up mpMRI earlier than 24 months.

Purpose To evaluate image quality and diagnostic value of multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) in patients with total hip replacement (THR) at 1.5 and 3 Tesla. Methods In this retrospective multicenter cohort study patients with uni- or bilateral THR and 1.5 T or 3 T mpMRI were included. Seventy consecutive, standard-of-care examinations per field strength were evaluated regarding their diagnostic value. The overall diagnostic value and prostate imaging quality score (PI-QUAL) were assessed. Artifact severity in the localizer and mpMRI sequences (T2w, DWI, DCE) was scored on a 3-point scale. Correlation between diagnostic value and artifacts was analysed. Moreover, a subgroup analysis focussed on image quality at different 3 T scanner generations. Results 140 consecutive patients (mean age 72, median PSA value 8.3 ng/ml) were included. When comparing 1.5 T to 3 T examinations, no significant differences were observed regarding the artifact severity of DWI and the localizer and the overall diagnostic value of the images. There was a strong correlation between the diagnostic value, PI-QUAL score, and artifact severity in the localizer and DWI. T2w and DCE sequences showed overall low artifacts. Significant improvement in image quality for 3 T at the latest scanner generation was observed, especially for DWI (p Conclusions MpMRI of patients with THR can be conducted at both field strengths without significant differences in artifacts. The localizer might be useful as an early forecasting feature for diagnostic value and particularly for contrast medium application decision. Patients with THR could benefit from technically advanced scanner generation and rs/ptx-EPI DWI sequences.

Background. A randomized-controlled multicenter (MC, 4 centers) study showed the effect of cognitive training in PD-MCI on executive functions. In a sub-study biomarkers were examined in the resting-state EEG. Methods. First, data from one center was examined: 19 patients received a resting-state EEG (128 channels) before and after a 6-week training session. Frontal, central and temporal canal clusters were analyzed with regard to their alpha and theta-delta activity longitudinally and in relation to a composite score of the neuropsychological executive function. Results. The performance and improvement of the executive functions correlated positively with high-frequency and negatively with low-frequency oscillations of the EEG. Discussion/Conclusion. As a state marker, the resting-state EEG correlates with neuropsychological performance over time. The baseline EEG activity as a predictor of the response to therapy should also be examined. Furthermore, the data from all four centers of the MC study are to be included into a source-based network analysis of the EEG.