Overview
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive way for your doctor to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. It produces high-resolution images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of problems. Prostate MRI can help determine the size and shape of the prostate. In addition, it can provide information about prostate cancer risk, which may result in the need for a prostate MRI transrectal fusion biopsy to determine if prostate cancer cells are present.
The most common scenario an MRI is obtained for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) visits is when the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is abnormally high. PSA can be increased in the setting of cancer, as well as increased prostate size, inflammation or infection. Most treatments for prostate cancer simultaneously address BPH problems so it is important to determine if prostate cancer that warrants treatment is present.
A prostate MRI may also be ordered to evaluate the anatomy of the male reproductive organs and the urinary tract system in cases of infertility.