OnQ Prostate MRI: AI-Assisted PI-RADS Reporting for Precise Cancer Detection

A rising PSA is a worry, but it is a blunt instrument. PSA alone can miss a meaningful share of clinically significant prostate cancers while flagging many men who do not have aggressive disease — leading to biopsies that may not have been necessary. Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) with OnQ Prostate AI helps close that gap, giving your urologist a clearer map before any needle is involved.

Why Prostate MRI Matters

PSA testing has saved lives, but it is imperfect. Elevated PSA can stem from benign enlargement or inflammation, and a normal-range PSA does not fully exclude cancer. Used on its own, PSA can miss a portion of significant cancers while over-detecting low-risk ones. A high-quality prostate MRI adds anatomical and functional detail that PSA simply cannot provide — and can help some men safely avoid or defer biopsy.

What Is Multiparametric MRI?

"Multiparametric" means the exam combines several MRI sequences that each reveal something different:

• T2-weighted imaging — high-resolution anatomy of the prostate zones
• Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) — sensitive to the dense, restricted tissue typical of aggressive tumors
• Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) — when used, shows how tissue takes up contrast over time

Together these sequences let a radiologist assess whether a suspicious area behaves like clinically significant cancer.

What OnQ Prostate AI Adds

OnQ Prostate is AI software that overlays onto the mpMRI study. It helps highlight suspicious regions and supports structured, consistent reporting so findings can be expressed on the standardized PI-RADS scale. The goal is greater consistency and fewer missed or over-called findings — but the radiologist remains the decision-maker, using the AI as an assistant.

PI-RADS, Explained Simply

PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) scores a finding from 1 to 5:

• PI-RADS 1-2 — clinically significant cancer is unlikely
• PI-RADS 3 — equivocal; the picture is uncertain and may warrant further discussion
• PI-RADS 4-5 — suspicious or highly suspicious; a targeted biopsy is often recommended

This shared language helps your urologist decide whether to biopsy, where to aim, or whether watchful monitoring is reasonable.

Who Should Consider It

Prostate mpMRI with OnQ may be appropriate for men with:

• Elevated or rising PSA
• A family history of prostate cancer
• A prior negative biopsy but a rising PSA, where a targeted approach can help
• Active surveillance of known low-risk cancer, where MRI helps monitor for change

Your physician can help determine whether prostate MRI fits your situation.

The 3T Advantage

Prostate zones are small and detail matters. Our 3T MRI delivers roughly twice the signal of a standard 1.5T system, which can mean sharper soft-tissue resolution for the prostate — helpful for both the radiologist and the OnQ analysis. OnQ also runs on our 1.5T MRI for qualifying studies.

What to Expect at AMI

A prostate MRI at AMI takes roughly 45 minutes. IV contrast is sometimes used depending on the protocol, and there is generally no bowel prep required for our standard approach — our team will give you specific instructions when you schedule. You lie still on the table while the scanner captures the sequences.

Your Results

A board-certified radiologist interprets your study with the OnQ overlay and produces a structured report — including a PI-RADS assessment — that is sent to your urologist to guide next steps.

Self-Pay — No Referral Needed

Self-pay patients do not need a referral; our medical director reviews each request. Pricing depends on the specific protocol, so please call (727) 398-5999 for self-pay pricing.

Schedule Your OnQ Prostate MRI

Learn more about OnQ Prostate MRI, then schedule online or call (727) 398-5999.