[Staging and tissue characterization of prostate carcinoma: role of endorectal MR imaging and MR spectroscopy].

The role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopy with an endorectal coil in tissue characterization and local staging was reviewed. Endorectal coil (ERC) MR imaging demonstrated the detailed zonal anatomy of the normal prostate. The sensitivity and specificity of staging prostate cancer for ERC MR imaging was superior to both conventional MR imaging and transrectal ultrasound. ERC MR imaging is the most accurate noninvasive method of staging prostate cancer. However, the accuracy of the diagnosis made by inexperienced radiologists was significantly inferior to that made by experienced radiologists. Endorectal MRI failed to differentiate benign from malignant lesions in some patients demonstrating low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging in the peripheral zone. MR spectroscopy may provide additional information on tissue characterization, monitoring after treatment and staging.