Clinical prostate T₂ quantification using magnetization-prepared spiral imaging

T₂ quantification may augment diagnostic T₂-weighted imaging; to improve cancer detection via auto-segmentation of multi-parametric acquisitions and to potentiate longitudinal studies of prostate cancer. However, robust quantitative techniques are not generally accessible or refined for clinical translation. This research describes the adaptation of a magnetization-prepared spiral imaging technique, termed T2prep for prostate application, providing whole gland coverage within a 5-min interval with considerable insensitivity to radiofrequency (RF) inhomogeneities. Clinical piloting in two cohorts with distinct clinical histories demonstrated the anticipated differences in zonal and tumor T₂, including tumor T ₂ shortening compared to peripheral zone, and post-radiotherapy shortening of peripheral zone T₂. SNR calculations were performed for data acquired with or without an endorectal coil in tandem with a torso phased array, to judge the potential for voxel-based T₂ mapping and thereby support focal biological characterization of cancer, hypoxia, and response to therapy within regions of dense cancer burden.