We aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions towards multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate among Italian urologists.
A national, web-based survey was performed. A questionnaire composed of 18 multiple choice questions was e-mailed to 941 currently active urologists, members of the Italian Society of Urology. Preserving anonymity, respondents' demographics were collected (e.g. geographic region, type of workplace, prostate procedures performed) as well as data concerning their attitudes and perceptions towards mpMRI (e.g. indications deemed appropriate, degree of confidence in mpMRI results). Data were expressed as raw numbers and percentages of survey answers.
In total, 98 responses were received (participation rate = 10.4%). Respondents mostly worked in urban areas (96%) and primarily in hospital settings (89%), while 48% of them worked in southern Italy. 97% of respondents considered mpMRI useful to detect Prostate Cancer (PCa) in patients with prior negative biopsy, 64% in biopsy-naïve patients and 60% for PCa pre-operatory staging. About half (42%) of the participants declared that mpMRI results frequently lead them to change PCa management strategy. Standardization of mpMRI acquisition and reporting was partially unsatisfactory. Reported waiting time for mpMRI scans was longer than 4 weeks for 51% of respondents. The major limitation of this survey includes the small number of participants.
Prostate mpMRI is used by Italian urologists mainly for detection and for pre-operative staging of PCa. Further improvements in terms of mpMRI availability and report standardization are required.
Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia : organo ufficiale [di] Societa italiana di ecografia urologica e nefrologica. 2020 Dec 17*** epublish ***
Arnaldo Stanzione, Massimiliano Creta, Massimo Imbriaco, Roberto La Rocca, Marco Capece, Fabio Esposito, Ciro Imbimbo, Ferdinando Fusco, Giuseppe Celentano, Luigi Napolitano, Francesco Mangiapia, Vincenzo Mirone, Nicola Longo
Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Woman Child and of General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. ., Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples. .