# Microultrasound imaging for accuracy of diagnosis in prostate cancer: a single‑center observational study

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the use of microultrasound imaging in diagnosing prostate cancer and finds it effective in identifying suspicious areas for biopsy.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the diagnostic accuracy of microultrasound in prostate cancer detection compared to MRI.

## Key findings

- MicroUS identified suspicious lesions in 44.6% of patients with suspected prostate cancer.
- Concordance between microUS and mpMRI results was observed in 71% of patients.
- A negative microUS result suggests a low likelihood of clinically significant prostate cancer.

## Abstract

Research results suggest that high-resolution ultrasonography (microUS) can be used to estimate the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and identify suspicious areas, enabling precise biopsy during examination.

The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of microUS in a population of patients with suspected PCa.

An observational single-center study on the application of microUS was conducted in a group of 439 patients. All examinations were performed using the ExactVu microUS system.

A total of 439 patients with suspected PCa underwent microUS examination. Following the examination, suspicious lesions (positive result) were identified in 196 patients (44.6%). Among them, 86 (43.8%) underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and suspicious lesions were found in 36% of the cases. There was no major difference in the frequency of positive results on microUS and mpMRI (P <⁠0.4). Concordant results of mpMRI and microUS were observed in 71% of the patients. The accordance between microUS and mpMRI was more frequent than a lack of accordance (P <⁠0.01). There was no difference in the frequency of PCa detection between the 2 groups (P <⁠0.6). There was no difference in the frequency of PCa detection in the group with concordant microUS and mpMRI findings, as compared to the discordant group of patients (P <⁠0.6). In the group of 243 individuals with negative microUS results, 87 (35.8%) underwent mpMRI. Result concordance between negative mpMRI and microUS was 79%.

A positive result from microUS, even when MRI is negative, may indicate a need for prostate biopsy. On the other hand, a negative result from microUS suggests a low likelihood of clinically significant PCa and thus a need for biopsy.