Hull hospital finds fusion of MR images and ultrasound increases accuracy of detection

Greater diagnostic accuracy in detecting significant prostate cancer using the Aplio i700 ultrasound system with Smart Fusion application has been reported following a four-year clinical evaluation at Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Smart Fusion imaging application from Canon Medical Systems UK enables the accurate targeting of prostate biopsies by merging real-time ultrasound images with previously acquired multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) scans that highlight concern areas. This enables lesions to be accurately located for biopsy and displays a biopsy line to follow with the inserted needle.

Consultant sonographer Pamela Parker said: “Our service has been evaluated and clearly demonstrates that the use of fusion-guided imaging to enable a targeted biopsy approach significantly increased diagnostic accuracy of the procedure.

“The evaluation demonstrated that target biopsy following mpMRI resulted in greater accuracy for detecting significant prostate cancer; target biopsy has a true positive rate of 87 per cent compared to 75 per cent with the previous standard biopsy technique. However, the study also demonstrated that random samples of the prostate alongside the target are required. Within the study population 12.5 per cent had clinically significant cancer diagnosed with random samples only.”

Clinical specialist sonographer Andrew Hunter added: “The Fusion application on our ultrasound system has revolutionised how our sonographers can target specific areas of concern reported on an MRI scan of the prostate gland.”

Picture:  Canon Medical Systems UK ultrasound applications specialist Louise Higgins, advanced sonographer Trevor Parker and clinical specialist sonographer Andrew Hunter.

Published on page 32 of the December 2019 issue of RAD Magazine.