A new technology called micro-ultrasound has been shown to be as effective as MRI in diagnosing prostate cancer, according to an international clinical trial. The OPTIMUM trial involved 677 men from Canada, the US, and Europe, who underwent biopsy at 19 hospitals.
The results showed that micro-ultrasound-guided biopsies detected prostate cancer just as effectively as those guided by MRI. This technology uses higher frequency ultrasound images with three times greater resolution than conventional ultrasound, making it possible to capture similar detail to MRI scans for targeted biopsies.
Micro-ultrasound is cheaper and easier to use than MRI, which requires a two-step process involving multiple hospital visits and specialist radiological expertise. The new technology also eliminates the need for gadolinium, a substance with some toxicity, and makes it safer by avoiding potential errors during image transfer.
Clinicians can easily train to use micro-ultrasound and interpret images, making it an accessible option for patients who may not have access to MRI due to medical conditions or costs. The results of the OPTIMUM trial could revolutionize prostate cancer diagnosis, offering a one-stop shop where patients are scanned and biopsied immediately if required.
Experts say that micro-ultrasound has the potential to be an important tool for screening programs and could make targeted biopsies more available in less developed healthcare systems. While further research is needed to understand its role in these settings, the technology has already shown promising results.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-high-resolution-ultrasound-enable-faster.html