Carcinoma of the prostate gland: MR imaging with pelvic phased-array coils versus integrated endorectal-pelvic phased-array coils

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of pelvic phased-array (PPA) coils and integrated endorectal PPA coils in evaluation of local extent of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one men underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging within 3 weeks of radical prostatectomy. MR findings of tumor, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, nodal involvement, and stage were compared with step-sectioned (3-4-mm intervals) whole-mounted pathologic specimens. Prospective consensus versus single-reader interpretation (κ statistics) and PPA versus integrated endorectal PPA coils (McNemar test) were compared, and a rating scale of 1-6 was developed for analysis of receiver operating characteristics. Statistical significance was calculated at δ = .05. RESULTS: Comparison between consensus and single- reader image interpretation showed positive but poor agreement (κ = .38) and no statistical significance. Staging accuracy was better (difference approached significance) for integrated endorectal PPA coils (77%) than for PPA coils (68%). CONCLUSION: The integrated endorectal PPA coil is better for evaluation of local prostatic cancer than is the PPA coil.