18F-Choline PET/MRI: The Additional Value of PET for MRI-Guided Transrectal Prostate Biopsies

Abstract

We assessed the value of fusion (18)F-fluoromethylcholine ((18)F-choline) PET/MRI for image-guided (targeted) prostate biopsies to detect significant prostate cancer (Gleason ≥ 3 + 4) compared with standard (systematic 12-core) biopsies.

Methods: Within an ongoing prospective clinical trial, hybrid (18)F-choline PET/CT and multiparametric 3T MRI (mpMRI) of the pelvis were performed in 36 subjects with a rising prostate-specific antigen for known (n = 15) or suspected (n = 21) prostate cancer before a prostate biopsy procedure. PET and T2-weighted MR volumes of the prostate were spatially registered using commercially available software. Biopsy targets were selected on the basis of visual appearance on MRI and graded as low, intermediate, or high risk for significant disease. Volumes of interest were defined for MR-identified lesions. (18)F-choline uptake measures were obtained from the MR target and a mirrored background volume of interest. The biopsy procedure was performed after registration of real-time transrectal ultrasound with T2-weighted MR and included image-guided cores plus standard cores. Histologic results were determined from standard and targeted biopsy cores as well as prostatectomy specimens (n = 10).

Results: Fifteen subjects were ultimately identified with Gleason ≥ 3 + 4 prostate cancer, of which targeted biopsy identified significantly more (n = 12) than standard biopsies (n = 5; P = 0.002). A total of 52 lesions were identified by mpMRI (19 low, 18 intermediate, 15 high risk), and mpMRI-assigned risk was a strong predictor of final pathology (area under the curve = 0.81; P < 0.001). When the mean (18)F-choline target-to-background ratio was used, the addition of (18)F-choline to mpMRI significantly improved the prediction of Gleason ≥ 3 + 4 cancers over mpMRI alone (area under the curve = 0.92; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Fusion PET/MRI transrectal ultrasound image registration for targeted prostate biopsies is clinically feasible and accurate. The addition of (18)F-choline PET to mpMRI improves the identification of significant prostate cancer.

Keywords: 18F-fluoromethylcholine; PET/MRI; molecular imaging; prostate cancer; targeted prostate biopsy.

Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE

No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

© 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Figures

FIGURE 1

Axial 2-dimensional T2w fast spin echo MRI (A), 18F-choline PET (25–30 min after injection; SUV range, 0–12) (B), and fusion PET/MRI (C) showing a 0.68 cm3 left anterior transitional zone lesion that was confirmed to be Gleason 3 + 4 prostate cancer on targeted biopsy. (D) Magnified view of PET/MRI is displayed with target lesion (magenta) and respective mirrored (blue) background VOIs. This patient (ID 24 [Supplemental Table 1]) underwent 3 prior prostate biopsy procedures without a cancer diagnosis.