Sadhna Verma, MD, presented “Prostate MRI for the Urologist” during the 2022 Frontiers in Oncologic Prostate Care and Ablative Local Therapy symposium on September 23, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.
How to cite: Sadhna, Verma. “Prostate MRI for the Urologist.” September 23, 2022. Accessed Nov 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/prostate-mri-for-the-urologist/
Prostate MRI for the Urologist – Summary
Sadhna Verma, MD, discusses the importance of completing a high-quality prostate MRI as well as a multi-parametric (mp) MRI. An mp-MRI is a combination of techniques including DCE, TW2, and DWI. Today’s MRIs can display the prostate zones very clearly. She discusses the zonal anatomy you can view with DTE, TW2 and T1W, and DWI methods and the strengths and limitations of each. It is important to understand the anatomy, biology, and vascularity of the mp-MRI to accurately interpret imaging. Dr. Verma describes that anatomy can be interpreted from T2W, biology from DWI, and vascularity from DCE. The key steps for success in a mp-MRI include acquisition, interpretation, and targeted biopsy. However, quality of the MRI precludes success. Dr. Verma explains that prostate imaging was introduced in the ESUR prostate MR guidelines in 2012 and is now globally recognized. An issue with acquiring these images is rectal gas and a reexamination may be required if there is motion during imaging. When acquiring, she mentions that PI-RADS categories, which are now at version 2.1, set the standards for MRI. However, when an image is unclear due to motion or speed, repetition is important to gain more clarity. Dr. Verma states that 3T magnetic field strength is preferable, but steep gradients are more important. The key is to use the strongest gradients possible to increase image quality, especially with DWI. Looking at multiple views with good contrast is also important. Lastly, Dr. Verma reviews image examples and reviews limitations of each image.
The annual symposium on Frontiers in Oncologic Prostate Care and Ablative Local Therapy (FOCAL) is an outstanding program on prostate imaging, transperineal interventions, and ablative treatments for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Bringing together community-based, academic, and industry partners, FOCAL offers lectures by world-renowned faculty and hands-on training workshops on in-office transperineal interventions, fusion-guided prostate ablation and state-of-the-art BPH management with novel technologies. For more educational activities from the symposium that took place from September 23-24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, visit our collection page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sadhna Verma, MD, MBA, FSAR, is an Adjunct Professor-Affiliate of Radiology at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Dr. Verma established and continues to serve as the Director of the Prostate MRI Program at the University of Cincinnati and established the university’s CT imaging program for CT Urography and CT Enterography. Dr. Verma is the associate Chair of Quality and Performance Improvement at the Prostate Cancer Midwest Center of Excellence and the Director of the Prostate Cancer Imaging Program for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She is an international expert in the fields of GI and GU Imaging.
Dr. Verma earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. She then completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Dr. Verma completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology and a fellowship in Health Service and Outcomes Research at the University of Cincinnati and then completed a fellowship in Body Imaging/3D Imaging at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Verma earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in Illinois.
Dr. Verma is a member of the International Prostate MRI Working Group. She conducts local and national workshops to help train radiologists and inform clinicians and patients about this test. Dr. Verma has over 100 published articles and book chapters in her field.
