Men with an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) can now have a highly detailed MRI at Sarah Bush Lincoln. The MRI provides urologists with a better image to help detect any abnormality. Prior to SBL offering this diagnostic imaging exam, men drove to Springfield, St. Louis or Taylorville.
SBL Radiologic Technologist David Weber explains, “The prostate MRI is a non-invasive test for men who have an elevated PSA, abnormal digital rectal exam or have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.” The MRI takes about 40 minutes to complete and is painless.
Weber explained that during the imaging, men lay on the MRI table with a heavy coil blanket underneath and on top of them. The process yields thousands highly detailed images that urologists use for prostate biopsy planning. A biopsy is a necessary step in determining whether cancer is present.
The MRI image is combined with live ultrasound images during the biopsy. This increases accuracy and helps pinpoint in which quadrant of the prostate there is mass. The MRI is also used to stage prostate cancer from T1 to T4 and can indicate whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate into the seminal vesicles or other nearby structures.
Urologist David DiDomenico said, “We’re really fortunate to have this level of technology available for men in our community. This is the gold standard in diagnostics and we’re really pleased to have this available locally. It certainly saves travel time and expenses and the stress of having to leave town for this MRI.”
The Sarah Bush Lincoln MRI suite is located on east side of the main Health Center complex at Entrance D. For more information about this diagnostic imaging test, please contact David Weber at 217 258-4025.