Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter
Published on: December 19, 2017
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging: a useful additional sequence in paediatric imaging
Eoghan E Laffan1, Rachael O'Connor, Stephanie P Ryan
1Department of Radiology, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, 1, Ireland.
Insights
Whole-body MRI (WBMR) imaging is valuable for diagnosing systemic diseases in children when initial scans are inconclusive. This advanced imaging technique aids in detecting unsuspected conditions like leukemia and neuroblastoma, especially bone marrow abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Oncologic Imaging
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Whole-body MRI (WBMR) enables rapid, full-body imaging.
- Current applications focus on detecting metastases in known primary tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of WBMR as an additional imaging sequence in pediatric patients with undiagnosed systemic diseases.
- To assess WBMR's diagnostic yield when initial imaging suggests a potential systemic abnormality.
Main Methods:
- Ten children (4 months–15 years) underwent WBMR imaging.
- WBMR was added after initial MRI revealed abnormalities suggestive of systemic disease.
Main Results:
- Eight out of ten patients showed abnormalities on WBMR.
- Diagnoses included acute lymphoblastic leukemia, anaplastic lymphoma, neuroblastoma with bone marrow metastases, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, and cystic angiomatosis.
Conclusions:
- WBMR imaging is a useful adjunct in pediatric cases with suspected systemic or bone marrow abnormalities.
- It can reveal unsuspected diagnoses, improving diagnostic accuracy in complex pediatric cases.
Background:
Whole-body MR (WBMR) imaging allows the acquisition of images of the entire body in a matter of minutes. Its use has primarily been in the evaluation of possible metastases in the setting of a known primary tumour.
Objective:
To document the value of WBMR imaging in ten children in whom this was added as an additional sequence when the primary diagnosis had not yet been made.
Materials And Methods:
Ten children, age range 4 months-15 years (mean 7 years 4 months) had WBMR imaging after initial MR showed an abnormality that raised the possibility of systemic disease. Initial scanning was of the brain (n=1), spine (n=2), retroperitoneum (n=4), hips (n=1), femur (n=1) and wrist (n=1).
Results:
Abnormalities were detected in eight patients. Two patients had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and another had an anaplastic lymphoma, unsuspected prior to the WBMR. Two patients had a previously undiagnosed neuroblastoma with bone marrow metastases. Two patients had Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. Another had multiple bone lesions due to cystic angiomatosis.
Conclusions:
WBMR imaging may be a useful additional sequence in children in whom a systemic and especially a bone marrow abnormality is suspected.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:25Applications Of NMR In Biology
The...