Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging Logo

Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging

Published by SPJ Publication

eISSN: 3048-5568

Review Article

Comparative Evaluation of Multipara-metric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Micro-Ultrasound for the Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer

Authors: Mani Pratap Singh, Vanshu Saxena

Article Metrics
104
Views
22
Downloads
Altmetric

Abstract

Prostate cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies among men worldwide, necessitating accurate and early detection of clinically significant disease to guide appropriate management. In recent years, imaging modalities such as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and micro-ultrasound (micro-US) have emerged as valuable tools in the diagnostic pathway. This review provides a comprehensive analysis and comparison of mpMRI and micro-US in identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. mpMRI, incorporating T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences, has demonstrated high sensitivity and standardized reporting through PI-RADS, improving lesion localization and risk stratification. Conversely, micro-ultrasound offers real-time, high-resolution imaging with enhanced spatial detail, enabling targeted biopsy using the PRI-MUS protocol without the need for contrast agents. The review critically evaluates diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and operator dependency of both modalities. Additionally, emerging evidence on combined and complementary use is discussed. While mpMRI remains the current reference standard, micro-ultrasound shows promising potential as a cost-effective and accessible alternative. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are required to establish standardized protocols and validate long-term clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Multiparametric MRI, Micro-ultrasound, Prostate cancer, Diagnostic


Article Information
DOI: 10.62502/ijmi/v3i1art1
Journal: Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging
Abbreviation: Innov. J. Med. Imaging
ISSN (Online): 3048-5568
Volume/Issue: 3(1)
Pages: 1-6

References
  1. Dias AB, O’Brien C, Correas JM. Multiparametric ultrasound and micro-ultrasound in prostate cancer: a comprehensive review. Br J Radiol. 2021;95(1131):20210633.
  2. Avolio PP, Piccolini A, Saitta C, et al. Enhanced diagnostic accuracy of micro-ultrasound in prostate cancer detection: prospective study. Urol Oncol. 2025;43(8):470.e19–470.e26.
  3. DuBois J, Smani S, Golos A, et al. Micro-ultrasound in detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: comparison with mpMRI. Tomography. 2025;11(7):80.
  4. Dong Y, Wang P, Geng H, et al. Comparative study of mpMRI, TRUS, and PET/CT in prostate cancer diagnosis. Ultrasound. 2025;33(2):89–99.
  5. Kinnaird A, et al. Micro-ultrasound for prostate cancer detection. Nat Rev Urol. 2025.
  6. Saitta C, Brisbane WG, Cash H, et al. Comprehensive imaging in prostate cancer: MRI and micro-ultrasound. Soc Int Urol J. 2025;6(3):39.
  7. Ghai S, Toi A. Role of MRI in prostate cancer detection and management. Radiology. 2020;295(2):340–354.
  8. Turkbey B, Rosenkrantz AB, Haider MA, et al. Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1. Eur Urol. 2019;76(3):340–351.
  9. Ahmed HU, El-Shater Bosaily A, Brown LC, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of mpMRI and TRUS biopsy. Lancet. 2020;395(10231):815–822.
  10. Kasivisvanathan V, Rannikko AS, Borghi M, et al. MRI-targeted biopsy versus standard biopsy. N Engl J Med. 2020;378:1767–1777.
  11. Rouvière O, Puech P, Renard-Penna R, et al. MRI-targeted or standard biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(1):123–131.
  12. Simmons LA, Ahmed HU, Moore CM, et al. MRI-based prostate cancer diagnosis. Eur Urol. 2021;80(6):695–703.
  13. Wysock JS, Rosenkrantz AB, Huang WC, et al. MRI-targeted biopsy improves detection of significant prostate cancer. J Urol. 2021;206(5):1027–1034.
  14. Taneja SS. Reconsidering prostate biopsy: MRI-guided pathways. Nat Rev Urol. 2021;18:453–464.
  15. van der Leest M, Cornel E, Israël B, et al. Head-to-head comparison of MRI-targeted biopsy. Eur Urol. 2020;77(4):476–484.
  16. Klotz L, Chin J, Black PC, et al. Comparison of micro-ultrasound and MRI-targeted biopsy. J Urol. 2021;205(3):754–760.
  17. Pavlovich CP, Cornish TC, Mullins JK, et al. High-resolution micro-ultrasound imaging in prostate cancer detection. Urology. 2021;147:134–140.
  18. Lughezzani G, Saita A, Lazzeri M, et al. Diagnostic performance of micro-ultrasound-guided biopsy. Eur Urol Focus. 2022;8(1):114–121.
  19. Ghai S, Eure G, Fradet V, et al. Assessing cancer risk with micro-ultrasound imaging. J Urol. 2022;207(2):356–363.
  20. Eure G, Fanney D, Lin J, et al. Micro-ultrasound imaging for prostate cancer detection. World J Urol. 2022;40(3):789–796.
  21. Hansen NL, Barrett T, Kesch C, et al. Multicenter evaluation of MRI-targeted biopsy accuracy. Eur Urol. 2022;81(5):477–488.
  22. Giganti F, Allen C, Emberton M, et al. Role of MRI in prostate cancer management. Clin Radiol. 2022;77(3):159–167.
  23. Cash H, Maxeiner A, Stephan C, et al. Micro-ultrasound vs MRI in prostate cancer detection. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2023;26(1):56–63.
  24. Ghai S, Haider MA. Multiparametric MRI in prostate cancer. Cancer Imaging. 2023;23(1):12–20.
  25. Kesch C, Radtke JP, Wintsche A, et al. MRI pathway in prostate cancer detection. Eur Urol Oncol. 2023;6(2):145–152.
  26. Pepe P, Pennisi M. Targeted biopsy using MRI and ultrasound techniques. Anticancer Res. 2023;43(2):789–796.
  27. Hansen NL, Koo BC, Gallagher FA, et al. Advanced MRI techniques in prostate cancer. Radiographics. 2023;43(4):e220145.
  28. Cash H, Ghai S, Eure G, et al. Prospective validation of micro-ultrasound imaging. J Urol. 2024;211(1):67–74.
  29. Margolis DJA, et al. Advances in prostate MRI interpretation and PI-RADS. Radiology. 2024;310(1):45–58.
  30. Brisbane WG, Kinnaird A, et al. Future directions in prostate imaging: MRI and micro-ultrasound integration. Nat Rev Urol.2025;22:101–115.
How to Cite
Vancouver Style:
Singh MP, Saxena V. Comparative Evaluation of Multipara-metric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Micro-Ultrasound for the Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer. Innov. J. Med. Imaging 2026;3(1):1-6. doi: 10.62502/ijmi/v3i1art1