Diagnostic evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in prostatic disease

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging was performed in 30 patients (20 benign prostatic hyperplasia and 10 prostatic carcinoma) using a 0.35 Tesla superconducting magnetic system and spin echo images were obtained. T1 and T2 relaxation times were calculated from these images. The prostates were identified in the median sagittal images which clearly demonstrated relationships between the enlarged prostate gland and surrounding structures and provided an important morphological information. Benign prostatic hyperplasia gave a homogeneous intensity signal. The finding in half of cases with prostatic carcinoma was heterogeneous signal pattern, and invasion to surrounding tissues was better seen in advanced stages. Differentiation between benign hyperplasia and carcinoma by T1 or T2 relaxation time was difficult by this method. For more accurate pathophysiological information from NMR, more fundamental and clinical studies will be required. (author)