Services

Prostate MRI at Gateway Diagnostic Imaging

 

 

 

What Is a Prostate MRI?

A prostate MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a specialized, non-invasive imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the prostate gland and surrounding pelvic structures. Unlike other imaging methods, prostate MRI provides exceptional soft tissue detail without using ionizing radiation, making it the most advanced imaging technique available for evaluating prostate health and detecting prostate cancer.

During your prostate MRI scan, you will lie comfortably on a padded table that slides into the MRI machine. The scan typically takes 45-60 minutes and may include contrast material to enhance image quality and diagnostic accuracy.

 

Why Your Doctor Ordered a Prostate MRI

Your physician may recommend a prostate MRI to diagnose, evaluate, or monitor various conditions affecting your prostate gland. This advanced imaging technique can detect problems that may not be apparent through physical examination or blood tests alone, providing your doctor with crucial information needed to develop the most effective treatment plan.

Prostate MRI Can Detect

Prostate Cancer:

  • Clinically significant prostate cancer
  • Tumor location, size, and aggressiveness
  • Cancer spread beyond the prostate capsule
  • Lymph node involvement
  • Recurrent cancer after treatment

Elevated PSA Investigation:

  • Causes of rising PSA levels
  • Differentiation between cancer and benign conditions
  • Guidance for targeted prostate biopsy
  • Monitoring PSA changes over time
  • Second-opinion evaluation

Benign Prostate Conditions:

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)
  • Prostate cysts or stones
  • Prostate abscesses
  • Congenital prostate abnormalities

 

Treatment Planning and Monitoring:

  • Pre-surgical planning for prostatectomy
  • Radiation therapy treatment planning
  • Active surveillance monitoring
  • Post-treatment evaluation
  • Recurrence detection after therapy

Biopsy Guidance:

  • MRI-guided biopsy planning
  • Targeting suspicious areas
  • Reducing unnecessary biopsies
  • Improving biopsy accuracy
  • Follow-up after negative biopsy

The Importance of Prostate MRI

Early Cancer Detection

Prostate MRI can detect clinically significant prostate cancer earlier and more accurately than other imaging methods. Early detection provides the best opportunity for successful treatment while the cancer is still confined to the prostate gland.

Reducing Unnecessary Biopsies

Not every prostate issue requires a biopsy. A prostate MRI will help your doctor decide if a biopsy is needed, preventing unnecessary procedures and discomfort while ensuring you receive the most appropriate care for your specific situation.

Improved Biopsy Accuracy

When biopsy is needed, MRI can guide the procedure to target the most suspicious areas, significantly improving the accuracy of cancer detection and reducing the chance of missing important cancers.

Active Surveillance Support

For men with low-risk prostate cancer choosing active surveillance, regular prostate MRI helps monitor for any changes that might indicate the need for treatment, providing peace of mind and confidence in the surveillance approach.

Guides Treatment Planning

If cancer or another condition is found, the MRI helps your doctor determine the best treatment approach, whether it is closely monitoring, surgery, radiation, or other therapies.

Recurrence Detection

After prostate cancer treatment, MRI can detect cancer recurrence earlier than other methods, allowing for prompt intervention when treatments are most effective.

Reducing Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment

By better characterizing prostate abnormalities, MRI helps distinguish between aggressive cancers that need immediate treatment and slower-growing cancers that may be safely monitored.

How to Prepare for Your Prostate MRI

Scheduling Considerations:

  • Allow 1.5 – 2 hours for your entire visit
  • Morning appointments may be preferred for comfort
  • Inform us of any claustrophobia concerns when scheduling

Medical Information to Provide:

  • Complete list of current medications
  • Previous prostate procedures or surgeries
  • Recent PSA levels and biopsy results
  • Known allergies, especially to contrast materials
  • History of kidney problems or diabetes

Insurance and Documentation:

  • Bring your insurance card and photo ID
  • Arrive 15 minutes early for registration
  • Bring your doctor’s order or referral
  • Bring any previous prostate imaging studies or pathology reports

What to Wear

Clothing Guidelines:

  • Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes without metal
  • Avoid belts with metal buckles
  • Elastic-waist pants or shorts work well
  • We provide hospital gowns when needed

Items to Remove:

  • All jewelry, especially rings and watches
  • Cell phone and electronic devices
  • Credit cards and items with magnetic strips
  • Keys and coins from pockets
  • Hearing aids (unless MRI-compatible)

 

Safety Screening

Metal Implants and Devices:

Our team will carefully review your medical history for any implanted devices or metal objects, including:

  • Pacemakers or defibrillators
  • Hip or knee replacements
  • Surgical clips or screws
  • Penile implants or artificial urinary sphincters

Previous Surgeries:

  • Inform us of any prostate surgeries or procedures
  • Previous hernia repairs with mesh
  • Pelvic surgeries or implants
  • Any metallic clips or staples in the pelvis

Contrast Material Safety:

  • We will review your kidney function if contrast is needed
  • Inform us of previous reactions to contrast material
  • Certain medications may need to be temporarily stopped

 

What to Expect During Your Prostate MRI

Arrival and Preparation

When you arrive at Gateway Diagnostic Imaging, our registration team will check you in and review your medical history and preparation. You’ll complete safety questionnaires and have the opportunity to ask questions about your scan.

Pre-Scan Setup

Our MRI technologist will explain the process and may start an IV line if contrast is needed.

Positioning and Comfort

You will lie on your back on the padded MRI table. We will position a surface (external) coil over your pelvis to capture the best images of your prostate. Padding and supports ensure your comfort throughout the examination.

During the Scan

The MRI machine will make various sounds during different imaging sequences – clicking, knocking, and buzzing noises are completely normal. Each sequence lasts 3-8 minutes, and we will tell you how long each one will take. It is important to remain as still as possible.

Contrast Administration

If your scan requires contrast material, we will inject the contrast through your IV line partway through the exam. This contrast helps highlight blood vessels and can improve detection of cancer. You may feel a cool sensation during injection.

Communication Throughout

You will have a call button and can communicate with our technologist throughout the scan. We will check on you between sequences and can pause if you need a brief break.

After Your Scan

You can resume all normal activities immediately after your prostate MRI. If you receive contrast material, we will monitor you briefly before you leave. There are no restrictions on driving or other activities.

Common Reasons for Prostate MRI

Cancer Detection and Staging

  • Elevated or rising PSA levels
  • Abnormal digital rectal exam findings
  • Family history of prostate cancer
  • Genetic predisposition to prostate cancer
  • Previous negative biopsy with continued concern

 

Treatment Planning

  • Pre-surgical planning for radical prostatectomy
  • Radiation therapy treatment planning
  • Focal therapy candidate evaluation
  • Assessing cancer extent and aggressiveness
  • Determining treatment approach

Active Surveillance Monitoring

  • Monitoring low-risk prostate cancer
  • Detecting progression in cancer grade or volume
  • Guiding decisions about when to begin treatment
  • Providing reassurance during surveillance
  • Reducing need for repeat biopsies

Post-Treatment Evaluation

  • Detecting cancer recurrence after surgery
  • Monitoring after radiation therapy
  • Evaluating treatment complications
  • Assessing response to hormone therapy
  • Planning salvage treatments

Second Opinion Evaluation

  • Confirming cancer diagnosis and extent
  • Evaluating treatment recommendations
  • Assessing need for immediate treatment
  • Guiding treatment choice decisions

Why Choose Gateway Diagnostic Imaging?

Advanced Prostate Imaging Technology

Our state-of-the-art 3T MRI equipment provides exceptional image quality for prostate imaging. High-field strength and specialized sequences ensure optimal detection of prostate cancer and other conditions.

Expert Radiologists

Board-certified radiologists have specialized training in prostate imaging and extensive experience interpreting prostate MRI studies. We use the standardized PI-RADS scoring system, which provides your doctor with clear, consistent information about the likelihood of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Patient-Centered Care and Comfort

We prioritize your comfort throughout the entire process with external MRI coils for optimal patient comfort, quick and easy check-in for shorter wait times, and flexible scheduling including early morning, evening, and weekend hours available by appointment.

Accessible and Affordable Care

Gateway Diagnostic Imaging makes getting a prostate MRI convenient and affordable with 13 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, we are in-network with all major insurances, and offer flexible payment options including CareCredit and a Financial Assistance Program for those who qualify.

FAQs

How long does a prostate MRI take?

Most prostate MRI scans take 45-60 minutes, including setup and multiple image sequences.

Is the bowel preparation really necessary?

Yes, bowel preparation significantly improves image quality by reducing artifacts from bowel gas and motion, leading to more accurate results.

Will I feel claustrophobic?

Some patients do experience claustrophobia, but we have techniques to help you feel comfortable, including communication throughout the scan and relaxation techniques.

Is prostate MRI better than a biopsy?

MRI and biopsy provide different information. MRI can guide biopsy decisions and target suspicious areas, but tissue sampling through biopsy is still needed to confirm cancer diagnosis.

Can I have an MRI with a hip replacement?

Most hip replacements are MRI-safe, but we will verify the specific type before your scan. The metal may cause some image distortion but usually doesn’t prevent the examination.

What if my PSA is normal?

Prostate MRI may still be recommended based on other factors like family history, physical exam findings, or previous biopsy results.

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