Fusion versus cognitive MRI-guided prostate biopsies in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer

This study assesses whether fusion or cognitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided prostate targeted and systematic transperineal biopsies (TPB) increase detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). A retrospective analysis was completed of patients (2018–2020) undergoing 3-Tesla multiparametric prostate MRI informing targeted (either cognitive or MIM software fusion approach) and systematic TPB. ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) grade group ⩾ 2 was considered csPCa. A total of 355 cases from 4 urologists were included; 131 were fusion and 224 were cognitive MRI-guided biopsies. Of all csPCa found, 86.8% ( n = 171) of cases were confirmed to be at the MRI-indicated location and 11.6% were found as part of active surveillance. In all, 45.0% of the fusion group were found to have csPCa, compared to 62.05% ( n = 139) in the cognitive group ( p = 0.002). csPCa detection rates varied between urologists (41% to 78%, p < 0.001), so a subgroup analysis was performed on Urologist A; 45.0% of fusion and 41.3% of cognitive biopsies had csPCa ( p = 0.644). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that biopsy type, being on active surveillance, number of biopsy cores, iPSA (initial Prostate Specific Antigen) value or PIRADS (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System) score made no significant difference in whether csPCa was found. Cognitive and fusion targeting had similar csPCa detection rates. Further prospective studies would be beneficial to validate these findings. 2b (according to Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine)