1. Do you conduct multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scans (using T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted and dynamically enhanced sequences) before prostate biopsies?
Yes, but we do not routinely use a dynamically enhanced sequence.
Pre biopsy for all MRI patients has just been adopted so the aim is 100%.
2. How many scanners do you have available to use for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy?
Four MRI scanners . The Trust is only utilising three of these machines for prostate scanning as the quality is not acceptable on our older Toshiba Vantage 1.5T which is 8 years old and due for replacement.
3. For each individual scanner used for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy, please provide the following:
• Make
• Model
• Magnetic field strength
• Age
• When the scanner is due to be replaced
• Philips
• Ingenia
• 1.5T
• 4yrs old
• 2019
• Philips
• Ingenia
• 1.5T
• 2yrs old
• 2021
• Siemens
• Symphony
• 1.5T
• 12yrs old
• 2016
4. How many mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy do you estimate you carry out per year?
More than 1000
5.i. Do you intend to increase the number of mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy following the first results from the large clinical trial PROMIS?
Yes , we have recently agreed to MRI scan all patients pre biopsy.
The ASCO 2016 abstract has shown mpMRI as a triage test can identify one quarter of men (27%) who might safely avoid unnecessary biopsy, without impairing the detection of clinically significant cancer (http://abstract.asco.org/176/AbstView_17…).
5.ii If yes, do you currently have sufficient resources and capacity to cope with this increase?
No, we are currently outsourcing MRI scanning capacity and additional capacity demands are being met through outsourcing including the additional MRI pre biopsy demand.
