Early diagnosis of men’s health issues is crucial in treating prostate issues. That’s why researchers have been working on new diagnostic methods. One of the newest and most effective of these methods has turned out to be a cutting-edge combination MRI technique showcased at the 2018 meeting of the American Urological Association.
Supporting Diagnosis Efforts through Advanced Technology
The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, or mpMRI, has been on the rise in the realm of men’s health, especially when it comes to diagnosing men between the ages of 60 and 65. The ability to use a noninvasive MRI scan to identify lesions that may be clinically suspicious for a follow-up biopsy can lead to better early detection according to researcher Dr. Andre Luis de Castro Abreu from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
However, Dr. Abreu’s team was not the only one to come out in support of combination MRI scans to better men’s health. A total of seven different research studies into the efficacy of mpMRI scans were presented or at least referenced at the recent meeting. These studies highlighted not just how effective mpMRI scans can be as a diagnostic tool but also in providing better care overall to patients.
Reducing Unnecessary Biopsies
One important facet of multiparametric MRIs brought up by researchers included the benefit of being used in conjunction with existing medical records to reduce the number of prostate biopsies that need to be performed. These noninvasive tests, when combined with data from previous biopsies, for example, can obviate the need for yet another prostate biopsy to confirm a positive or negative diagnosis.
While most biopsies are not overly invasive they do cause moderate levels of discomfort and do require anywhere from 24 to 48 hours of light duty as recovery time. Using techniques that incorporate mpMRI exams, therefore, don’t just take less time than standard prostate biopsy procedures but also reduce pain and discomfort associated with biopsies as well.
