Is biparametric MRI a feasible option for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer?: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Multiparametric MRI (Mp-MRI) is a key tool to screen for Prostate Cancer (Pca) and Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer (CsPca). It primarily includes T2-Weighted imaging (T2w), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced imaging (DCE). Despite its improvements in CsPca screening, concerns about the cost-effectiveness of DCE persist due to its associated side effects, increased cost, longer acquisition time, and limitations in patients with poor kidney function. Recent studies have explored Biparametric MRI (Bp-MRI) as an alternative that excludes DCE.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to compile and evaluate updated results of Bp-MRI as a diagnostic alternative to detect CsPca.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Central Cochrane, and ClinicalTrialls.gov registry. Inclusion criteria was focused on observational and experimental studies that assessed a direct comparison of Bp-MRI and Mp-MRI for CsPca detection. The primary outcomes included were necessary to create a contingency 2×2 table and CsPca prevalence from each study. The secondary outcomes included were demographic data and imaging protocol features. The statistical analysis used a Bivariate Random-Effect model to estimate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC). An univariate random-effect model was conducted to estimate the positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies -2 tool.

Results: From 534 articles initially identified, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 5075 patients. The pooled sensitivity estimated was 0.89, pooled specificity was 0.73, and AUC was 0.90; these results showed a slight increase compared to previous studies.

Conclusion: The results obtained showed that Bp-MRI is a feasible alternative to detect CsPca, which demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy and avoids the drawbacks associated with DCE.

Registry: This is a sub-analysis of the protocol registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024552125).