Modern diagnostics cannot be imagined without magnetic resonance imaging. However, MRI, a highly accurate and safe method, has undergone a whole history of improvements since the early 80s of the last century until it became what we know today. And what we know about him is amazing.
The method is developing, new approaches, new technical solutions are introduced. And today, the most advanced technology — multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) — is increasingly being used in the world's leading clinics. Due to the simultaneous application of several parameters, doctors receive maximum information about the state of human organs and systems.
Why mpMRI is especially necessary for diagnostics in oncology, what are its indisputable advantages, in which diseases it is used, what is its great importance for patients who have surgery, said Oleksiy Omelchenko, deputy head of the radiology department of the Onco Consulting Center.
What is a multiparametric approach?
The multiparametric approach in MRI combines the most modern technologies:
- study of vital activity of human organs and systems and analysis of tissue blood supply and vascular permeability — perfusion method;
- research of important biochemical processes - spectroscopy method;
- analysis of the location of functionally important areas of the cerebral cortex - the method of functional MRI;
- analysis of leading nerve pathways of the brain and spinal cord – a tractography method that helps surgeons to perform surgery with maximum safety for the patient.
All these methods are combined in multiparametric MRI. Previously, they were used separately, but we received very specialized information. Therefore, they began to be used in a complex to immediately evaluate many parameters characterizing the work of human organs and systems. Thanks to this approach, we do it today with the greatest precision.
How does MPMRI differ from conventional MRI? What are its advantages?
Normal or, as we call it, routine MRI has less accuracy and sensitivity. Therefore, it gives us fewer opportunities for quality diagnosis, especially when it comes to cancer. I mean the assessment of the location of education, local and distant spread of the oncological process, the viability of tumor tissue after treatment, the "response" of education to treatment, the study of all ways for the most gentle radiotherapy and surgical operations. That is, mpMRI are the most common protocols used in personalized medicine in the world today.
What diseases do you use mpMRI to diagnose?
Cerebral disease. Unlike routine MRI, we can very accurately assess any deviations from the norm, pathological processes, neoplasms. Much earlier, we understand how the tumor "responds" to chemotherapy or radiation therapy - there are positive dynamics, whether it is necessary to change the treatment. In addition, mpMRI allows us to plan sparing radio and surgical interventions to minimize the risk to the patient during surgery.
Disease of the prostate gland. Thanks to mpMRI, we detect the formation of the prostate with maximum accuracy for MRI, evaluate its spread to the seminal vesicles, adjacent tissues, lymph nodes, and pelvic bones. The method provides important information for more accurate biopsy and planning of further diagnosis and treatment.
Diseases of the uterus and appendages, rectum. MPMRI makes it possible to very accurately assess the size, location and distribution of formations, damage to pelvic lymph nodes, their inflammatory or oncological nature (benign or malignant tumor), response to treatment. We evaluate the blood supply of the education to understand the viability of the tumor tissue as a result of the treatment.
In case of soft tissue diseases, we also determine with maximum accuracy the size, location and spread of education, damage to lymph nodes, evaluate the viability of the tumor as a result of the treatment.
Thus, thanks to the results of mpMTR, a clinical oncologist can determine the need for surgery, choose the optimal treatment tactics, and assess the risk of recurrence.
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