Diffusion weighted imaging of the prostate-principles, application, and advances

Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Jun;6(3):490-498. doi: 10.21037/tau.2017.05.06.

Abstract

This review article aims to provide an overview on the principles of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and its applications in the imaging of the prostate. DW-MRI with regards to different applications for prostate cancer (PCa) detection and characterization, local staging as well as for active surveillance (AS) and tumor recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) will be discussed. Furthermore, advances in DW-MRI techniques like diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) will be presented.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI); diffusion-weighted imaging (DW imaging); prostate cancer (PCa); tumor recurrence.

Publication types

  • Review