High-resolution MR imaging of prostatic carcinoma and benign prostatic hypertrophy with histopathological correlation

Fifteen fresh prostate specimens were imaged in an experimental MR system operating at 1.4 T with spin-echo (SE) pulse sequences of 2,500/80 and 600/20 (repetition time msec/echo time msec). The images were then correlated with macrosections of the histopathologic material. The SE 2,500/80 images demonstrate that glandular and cystic benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) has a regularly variable appearance with areas of high signal corresponding to regions of glandular ectasia surrounded by areas of low signal intensity that correlate with stromal or fibromuscular BPH. On the SE 2,500/80 images, carcinoma nodules were demonstrated as hypointense masses. The hypointensity correlated with an overall increase in cellularity and a decrease in the absolute size of gland spaces. An appreciation of intraglandular morphology on MR images may aid in estimating intraglandular total tumor volume