Evaluation of MR imaging of the prostate gland with the three-point Dixon technique

The three-point Dixon technique is a new variant of the Dixon method that yields essentially error-free separation of water and fat images even in the presence of susceptibility differences or field inhomogeneities. This paper evaluates the ability of this technique to demonstrate prostate zonal anatomy and compares this technique with conventional spin-echo imaging in the imaging and staging of prostate carcinoma. The authors compared standard spin-echo images of the prostates of five normal subjects with water and fat images obtained by the three-point Dixon method. Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were staged with both methods. These images and images of the prostatectomy specimens were compared with histopathologic maps. All patients were scanned with a 1.5-T General Electric Signa system