Safety and image quality of 1.5-T endorectal coil multiparametric MRI of the prostate or prostatectomy fossa for patients with pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to report the patient safety and image quality of 1.5-T multiparametric MRI of the prostate in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this retrospective study, a database was searched to identify prostate multiparametric 1.5-T MRI examinations performed with endorectal coils for patients with CIEDs from 2012 to 2016 (study group) and matched patients without CIEDs (control group). Clinical safety in the study group was reviewed. The specific absorption rate (SAR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured in both groups. Imaging quality and artifact on T2-weighted images, DW images, and dynamic contrast-enhanced images were rated on a 5-point scale by two independent readers. RESULTS. The study group consisted of total 28 multiparametric MRI examinations in 25 patients. There were no serious device-related adverse effects observed (0/28; 0%), and the estimated whole-body SAR in the study group was never greater than 1.5 W/kg. The SNR values tended to be lower in the study group than in the control group. However, overall perceived image preferences and influences of artifacts on image quality for the study group were not significantly different from those for the control group (p > 0.05), which were rated above average (rating 3) by both readers 1 and 2. CONCLUSION. Multiparametric 1.5-T MRI examination of the prostate can be safely performed in selected patients with CIEDs under controlled conditions with applicable image quality while maintaining a SAR less than 1.5 W/kg.