To investigate the influence of the PI-QUAL score on the concordance between radiological and pathological tumour stage in patients undergoing MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy and subsequent radical prostatectomy, specifically assessing how variations in PI-QUAL scores affect staging accuracy.
Key Findings:
18 patients had inadequate mpMRI quality (PI-QUAL 1-2), 44 had sufficient (PI-QUAL 3), and 287 had optimal quality (PI-QUAL 4-5).
The study found a statistically significant correlation between higher PI-QUAL scores and improved concordance between radiological and pathological staging.
The upstaging rate from mrT 2 to pT ≥ 3a was significantly influenced by the quality of mpMRI as assessed by PI-QUAL, with p-values indicating the strength of this relationship.
Interpretation:
The PI-QUAL score is a valuable tool for assessing mpMRI quality, which in turn impacts the accuracy of prostate cancer staging and subsequent surgical outcomes.
Limitations:
The study was monocentric, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to broader populations.
The retrospective design may introduce selection bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the results.
Conclusion:
Higher quality mpMRI, as indicated by the PI-QUAL score, is associated with better concordance between radiological and pathological staging, which could lead to improved patient management strategies in prostate cancer.
by Maximilian Haack, Mohamad Turkman, Tobias Jorg, Lukas Müller, Gregor Duwe, Lisa Johanna Frey, Maximilian Peter Brandt, Axel Haferkamp, Hendrik Borgmann, Robert Dotzauer
