Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate

Please bring a current creatinine value with you, which you can have determined in advance (about a week before the examination) by your family doctor or the referring doctor with a blood test. This value provides information about your kidney function. You will be asked to present this value during your consultation with one of our radiologists. Without the information about this blood value, we are unfortunately unable to carry out the examination in your own interest, as this could otherwise result in damage to your health. If the value is abnormal (i.e. not normal), please inform us in advance so that we can make the necessary decisions and plan the examination.

As the MRI works with strong magnetic fields, you are requested to remove all metal objects before entering the examination room, as this may otherwise result in injury. If you have metal implants in or on your body, please bring your implant passport with you - if you have one - and present it during the consultation. If you have a pacemaker, please inform us in advance, as a decision must first be made in cooperation with our cardiology colleagues as to whether and how an MRI examination is possible; special regulations apply here.

If you suffer from claustrophobia or are very overweight, please talk to us in advance. Depending on the degree of claustrophobia, it may also be possible to take a sedative tablet before the examination. However, if you come to the examination as an outpatient, you will then need to be collected. Due to the temporary restriction of your ability to react, you must not drive a motor vehicle or two-wheeler or work on dangerous machinery for 12 hours after the examination.

Before the examination, you will be informed by a radiologist about the benefits and risks of the examination. You will receive a detailed information sheet from us in preparation for the consultation. We ask you to read this carefully and complete it truthfully. You can then ask your questions during the subsequent consultation.

Intravenous administration of a contrast agent is necessary for mpMRI examinations of the prostate. We only use the latest generation of contrast agents, which are very well tolerated; only in rare cases can there be side effects, about which the doctor will inform you in detail. In order to administer the contrast medium, it is necessary for us to place a venous access in your arm (crook of the elbow or back of the hand) before the examination, which is similar to taking blood. The contrast medium is then administered via an automated pump during the examination. You may feel a little warm, which is completely normal.

For the examination, the body region to be examined must be placed in the middle of a tube that is approx. 70 cm wide. The tube remains open during the entire examination, it is bright and well ventilated. The examination device is located in a shielded room and is guarded from the adjacent room by a window and a camera. You can speak to our staff via an intercom system during the examination. We can see you at all times during the examination so that nothing can happen to you.

The MRI examination takes about 30 minutes, depending on the problem. It takes this time for the measurements to be taken and for the computer to calculate the images. During this time, please lie as still as possible. You will hear loud, knocking noises during the examination; you will be given special headphones to protect your hearing. You will then be finished. If you would like to receive a CD of the examination, please wait a moment. If you would like to have a final consultation with one of our radiologists to discuss the findings, please also allow for a little waiting time, as the images must first be analyzed.