Accuracy of transrectal strain elastography in detection of prostate cancer

Abstract

Background: Elastography has emerged as a boon in aiding diagnosis of various neoplastic conditions. Strain elastography helps in differentiating hard lesions from the normal tissue on a real-time basis and targeting biopsies of the same described by other authors in various conditions. We assess a series of cases for the detection of prostate cancer using strain elastography of prostate. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of transrectal strain elastography in diagnosis of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional, prospective study. Transrectal strain elastography was performed using a C-10 3 v endocavity probe with elastography software and was compared against biopsy results on 25 adult male patients with raised prostate-specific antigen levels. Statistical significance of qualitative data across two study groups was tested using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The entire data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, Inc., Chicago, software for Microsoft Windows. Results: Ten (40%) out of 25 patients demonstrated carcinoma prostate, 14 patients had benign prostatic hyperplasia, and 1 had prostatic abscess. Transrectal real-time elastography scores in patients with carcinoma patient were higher than those of benign conditions, i.e., 3 and 4 scores with accuracy of 92%, sensitivity of 85.7%, and specificity of 94.4%. Conclusions: The overall accuracy of strain elastography was 92%, which enhanced the diagnostic yield in prostate carcinoma. Real-time strain elastography is a highly sensitive and specific technique for diagnosing prostatic carcinoma and guiding the prostate biopsy.