Why patient should do the examination? (value of test).
It is mainly conducted for the detection, active surveillance and staging of prostate cancer.
Occasionally, it is used to evaluate other prostate problems, including:
- Infection (prostatitis) or prostate abscess.
- An enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Who benefits from getting tested?
- Patient with elevated PSA level with no prior biopsy.
- Patient with elevated PSA level with prior negative TRUS biopsy.
- Patient with pathologically proven prostate cancer for staging.
- Men choosing active surveillance: in men with very low/low-risk disease who are considering active surveillance to ensure that high-grade disease has not been missed.
- Suspected local recurrence after prostate radiation or radical prostatectomy.
Are there any contraindications to the examination?
- Only you can’t get MRI scan due to cardiac pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator implants.
What other tests should be done with this examination?
- Recent serum creatinine level.
- Recent PSA level.
Examination preparations
- Patient should fast from 4-6 hours before the examination.
A brief description of the examination procedure
- A nurse will insert an intravenous catheter (IV line) into a vein in your hand or arm that will be used to inject the contrast material.
- You will be positioned on the moveable exam table. Straps and bolsters may be used to help you stay still and maintain your position.
- Devices that contain coils capable of sending and receiving magnetic waves placed around or next to the area of the body being scanned (pelvis).
- MRI exams generally include multiple runs (sequences), some of which may last several minutes.
- If a contrast material is used during the exam, it will be injected into the intravenous line (IV) after an initial series of scans. More images will be taken during or following the injection.
- When the exam is complete, you may be asked to wait while the radiologist checks the images in case more are needed.
- Your IV line will be removed after the exam is over.
- The entire examination usually takes 45 minutes or less
Where I can get tested?
- The exam is done on one of the latest MRI machines from GE, SIEMENS & PHILIPS in Alfa scan branches
Are there any aftercare or precautions to be done?
- We recommend you continue drinking plenty of fluid after the examination, as it helps rapid washout of contrast material out of your body except if you are on fluid balance for renal or cardiac condition, then please review your physician in that matter
