Clinical application of bladder MRI and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System

Nat Rev Urol. 2024 Apr;21(4):243-251. doi: 10.1038/s41585-023-00830-2. Epub 2023 Nov 30.

Abstract

Diagnostic work-up and risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment must be refined to optimize management and improve outcomes. MRI has been suggested as a non-invasive technique for bladder cancer staging and assessment of response to systemic therapy. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System (VI-RADS) was developed to standardize bladder MRI image acquisition, interpretation and reporting and enables accurate prediction of muscle-wall invasion of bladder cancer. MRI is available in many centres but is not yet recommended as a first-line test for bladder cancer owing to a lack of high-quality evidence. Consensus-based evidence on the use of MRI-VI-RADS for bladder cancer care is needed to serve as a benchmark for formulating guidelines and research agendas until further evidence from randomized trials becomes available.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Consensus
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Research Design
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Urinary Bladder* / diagnostic imaging