Enhanced Transrectal Ultrasound, Real-Time Sonoelastography, and Contrast-Enhanced Transrectal Ultrasound in Heavily Prescreened Chinese Men With Naive and Repetitive Biopsy

Abstract

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and targeted biopsy have been widely accepted as the most accurate technique to detect localize prostate cancer. It is a time-consuming and expensive option and may not be widely available in China, making ultrasound the first choice for the detection of prostate cancer. In this current retrospective study, the diagnostic values of enhanced transrectal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound, and real-time sonoelastography were evaluated. Symptomatic 315 men older than 40 years with prostate-specific antigen level greater than 4.0 ng/mL, with abnormal digital rectal examinations, and with suspicious lesions for prostate cancer under enhanced transrectal ultrasound included in the study. Enhanced transrectal ultrasound was suspicious in all 315 men, with 189 of 315 men with prostate cancer according to the prostate biopsy report. Sonoelastography was suspicious in 294 of 315 men, with 166 of 315 men with prostate cancer according to the prostate biopsy report. Contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound was suspicious in 221 of 315 men, with 159 of 315 men with prostate cancer according to the prostate biopsy report. Real-time sonoelastography alone and contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound alone were missed in 27 (11%) and 39 (15%) lesions to report cancer through biopsies. Working area for enhanced transrectal ultrasound, real-time sonoelastography, and contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound for detection of prostate cancer were 0 to 1 diagnostic confidence, 0.11 to 0.895 diagnostic confidence, and 0.39 to 0.63 diagnostic confidence respectively. Real-time sonoelastography and contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound may improve the detection of prostate cancer in men with suspicious prostate lesions under enhanced transrectal ultrasound (Level of Evidence: III; Technical Efficacy Stage: 2).