Real-time elastography in the diagnosis of prostate tumor

Aim: To assess the diagnostic gain of transrectal real-time elastography (RTE) compared to transrectal B-mode ultrasonography (US) in the detection of tumors in patients suspected of having prostate cancer. Materials and methods: Eighty-four patients suspected of having prostate cancer on the basis of clinical and biochemical evaluation underwent transrectal US, RTE and transperineal prostate biopsy. Results: Biopsy was considered the gold standard. Analysis related to the total number of patients showed a B-mode US sensitivity of 56%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value (PPV) 70% and negative predictive value (NPV) 67%. Analysis related to the total number of biopsy cores showed sensitivity 33%, specificity 92%, PPV 69% and NPV 73%. In the patient-related analysis, RTE sensitivity was 51%, specificity 75%, PPV 64% and NPV 64%, while the core-related analysis showed sensitivity 36%, specificity 93%, PPV 72% and NPV 74%. Comparison of B-mode US and RTE diagnostic accuracy in the detection of tumors located in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland showed a significant difference. Analysis related to the total number of biopsy cores harvested in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland showed a B-mode US sensitivity of 48%, specificity 81%, PPV 75% and NPV 58%, whereas RTE achieved the following values: sensitivity 66%, specificity 78%, PPV 77%, and NPV 67%. Conclusions: RTE is a valid addition to B-mode US, and RTE reached a higher accuracy than B-mode US in the evaluation of the peripheral zone of the prostate gland and in the selection of appropriate biopsy sites. © 2009 Elsevier Srl. All rights reserved.