MRI, endorectal

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) done from inside the rectum. To do such as MRI, a surface coil within an inflated latex balloon can be positioned in the rectum. The MRI is read (interpreted) and specific areas of suspicion are identified. The MRI data can be mapped onto a 3-dimensional model to determine strategy. Screening for prostate cancer is plagued by some unresolved problems. One is what to do when a man is found to have a high level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen), has a biopsy of his prostate, and the biopsy shows no sign of a tumor that might be responsible for the rise in PSA. Endorectal MRI may help in this situation since localizing prostate tumors with MRI appears more accurate than localizing such tumors with ultrasound. (Reference: J Urology 1999;162:1314-1317.)