Likert score and Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System (PI - RADS score) to assess the likelihood of prostate cancer based on multiparametric MRI

Last edited 05/2019 and last reviewed 09/2022

Two scoring systems are commonly used to evaluate the likelihood of prostate cancer on multiparametric MRI:

  • Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System version 2 (PI-RADS_v2) which uses explicit criteria based on a zonal multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) dominant sequence (e.g. diffusion-weighted imaging in the peripheral zone (PZ) and T2 weighted imaging in the transition zone) to rate the suspicion of prostate cancer on a 5-point scale and

  • a subjective 5-point Likert assessment, based on each mpMRI sequence equally (unlike the use of dominant sequence in PIRADS_v2) and adapted to the radiologist's experience for overall impression

Both 5-point scales define the likelihood for the presence of prostate cancer, as follows

  • (1) highly unlikely,
  • (2) unlikely,
  • (3) equivocal,
  • (4) likely,
  • (5) highly likely

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