Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Elastography Prostate Biomarkers in Healthy and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Subjects

Motivation: There is a critical need for significant improvements in image-based assessment of the prostate in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Goal(s): To characterize anatomical and histological changes of the prostate in subjects with LUTS, using mpMRI and transperineal magnetic resonance elastography (pMRE). Approach: Quantify transition zone (TZ) complex shear modulus [henceforth 'shear stiffness' (SS)] with pMRE at 90Hz. Results: Median SS of the periurethral TZ is highest in subjects with Moderate/Severe LUTS at 4.1kPa versus mild LUTS 3.5kPa (p=0.02) and no LUTS 3.4kPa (p=0.02). The periurethral region of the TZ had decreased stiffness compared to the rest of the TZ. Impact: pMRE is a novel, noninvasive imaging technique that can show spatial heterogeneity of the prostate and increased prostate stiffness with increasing severity of LUTS, demonstrating its potential as a useful biomarker in identifying phenotypes of LUTS.