Elastography in prostate gland imaging and prostate cancer detection

Abstract

Transrectal prostate biopsies under ultrasonography guidance remain the gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), however, has a limited sensitivity in PCa detection. Prostate elastography (TRES) increases the sensitivity of a TRUS examination. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the usefulness of TRES in prostate gland imaging for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer based on published literature. The advantages of transrectal elastography were analysed in the context of better diagnostic performance provided by this method. TRES provides additional information for the detection and biopsy guidance concerning prostate cancer, enabling a significant reduction in the number of biopsies.