Frequency of Screening Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Occult Spinal Cord Compromise and to Prevent Neurological Deficit in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

MRI spine can be used to detect asymptomatic rSCC in patients with CRPC and serial estimations are required to maintain a low incidence of clinical SCC. If serial screening MRI spine is used to detect rSCC in 90% of patients before the development of neurological signs, the optimum frequency depends on the subset of patients studied. The results of our study suggest that the optimum frequency would be every 4-6 months for patients with previous SCC, rapid or high PSA or back pain and annually for asymptomatic patients.