According to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2.1 multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) with gadolinium-(Gd)-based contrast agents is the diagnostic standard of care in the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). Recent data suggest equivalent performance of biparametric MRI (bpMRI) and mpMRI in defined indications.

Evaluation of the current role of abbreviated or unenhanced protocols in MRI of the prostate in various clinical settings.

Evaluation of clinical trials, guidelines and expert opinions.

The use of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI sequences is associated with contrast agent-associated risks and has significant impact on the imaging procedure and costs. Arguments for and against the use of contrast agent in prostate protocols as well as equivalence from bpMRI and mpMRI are discussed.

Currently, bpMRI can only be performed if very good image quality is available and in the hands of a radiologist with extensive experience in reading prostate MRI. There is a need for prospective studies to qualify bpMRI as the diagnostic method for the primary diagnosis of PCa.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in male population. Over the last few years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proved to be a robust clinical tool for identification and staging of clinically significant prostate cancer. Though suggestions by the European Society of Urogenital Radiology to use complete multiparametric (mp) T2-weighted/diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)/dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) acquisition for all prostate MRI examinations, the real advantage of functional DCE remains a matter of debate. Recent studies demonstrate that biparametric (bp) and mp approaches have similar accuracy, but controversial evidences remain, and the specific potential benefits of contrast medium administration are still poorly discussed in literature. The bp approach is in fact sufficient in most cases to adequately identify a negative test, or to accurately define the degree of aggressiveness of a lesion, especially if larger or with major characteristics of malignancy. This feature would give the DCE a secondary role, probably limited to a second evaluation of the lesion location, for detecting small cancer or in case of controversy. However, DCE has proved to increase the sensitivity of prostate MRI, though a less specificity. Therefore, an appropriate decision algorithm is needed to standardize the MRI approach. Aim of this review study was to provide a schematic description of bpMRI and mpMRI approaches in the study of prostatic anatomy, focusing on comparative validity and current DCE application. Additional theoretical considerations on prostate MRI are provided.

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), composed of T2WI, DWI, and DCE sequences, is effective in identifying prostate cancer (PCa), but length and cost preclude its application as a PCa screening tool. Here we review abbreviated MRI protocols that shorten or omit conventional mpMRI components to reduce scan time and expense without forgoing diagnostic accuracy.

The DCE sequence, which plays a limited diagnostic role in PI-RADS, is eliminated in variations of the biparametric MRI (bpMRI). T2WI, the lengthiest sequence, is truncated by only acquiring the axial plane or utilizing 3D acquisition with subsequent 2D reconstruction. DW-EPI_SMS further accelerates DWI acquisition. The fastest protocol described to date consists of just DW-EPI_SMS and axial-only 2D T2WI and runs less than 5 min. Abbreviated protocols can mitigate scan expense and increase scan access, allowing prostate MRI to become an efficient PCa screening tool.