Biparametric Prostate MRI: A Practical Approach to Implementation and Comparative Analysis.
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abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among men worldwide. Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is currently the gold standard for PCa detection, diagnosis, and active surveillance. However, its reliance on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging introduces safety concerns, higher costs, and longer scan times. Biparametric MRI (bpMRI), which omits DCE, has emerged as a streamlined alternative that retains T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging. This review critically examines the technical considerations, diagnostic performance, clinical applications, and limitations of bpMRI compared to mpMRI. We evaluate bpMRI's sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), highlighting its advantages in terms of patient safety, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Despite promising findings, the widespread clinical adoption of bpMRI is hindered by variability in imaging protocols, limited large-scale validation, and concerns over missed subtle lesions. Future directions include standardizing bpMRI protocols, integrating artificial intelligence and biomarkers, and conducting multi-centre trials to establish its role in PCa management. bpMRI holds significant potential as a reliable and efficient imaging tool that could complement or replace mpMRI in select clinical contexts.
