Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis.

Some recent studies evaluated the introduction of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

To evaluate whether DW-MRI can contribute to noninvasive diagnosis of BPS/IC. The agreement between two raters (2 radiologists involved in the study) was also evaluated, the relevance of the "operator-dependent" factor defined.

Twenty-two female patients with a diagnosis of BPS-IC were recruited and performed DW-MRI. The same investigation was also performed in 20 patients with pelvic gynecological diseases and no BPS-IC.

A significant difference was found between BPS-IC and no-BPS-IC since 17 out of 22 subjects of the first group were positive, compared to 3 out of 20 no-IC subjects, with a P value of .001 to highlight the statistical significance. The sensitivity of the exam was 77%, while the specificity was 85%. There was good agreement between the 2 raters in the evaluation of MRI results.

DW-MRI helps to obtain a noninvasive diagnosis of BPS/IC, by providing useful information on the choice of which patients may be more appropriately submitted to cystoscopy and bladder biopsy.

Urology. 2020 Apr 08 [Epub ahead of print]

Porru Daniele, Regina Cesare, Oworae Howardson Bright, Fiorello Nicolo, Gardella Barbara, Manzoni Federica, Klersy Catherine, Sala Maria Gabriella, La Fianza Alfredo, Ballerini Daniela, Preda Lorenzo, Simeone Claudio, Spinillo Arsenio, Jallous Hussein

Urology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: ., Urology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy., Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy., Servizio di Epidemiologia Clinica e Biometria, Direzione Scientifica, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy., Radiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy., Urology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Science, and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.