Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
10:02
Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter
Published on: December 19, 2017
MRI for staging lymphoma: whole-body or less?
Thomas C Kwee1, Erik M Akkerman, Rob Fijnheer
1Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. thomaskwee@gmail.com
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|April 22, 2011
Summary
Whole-body MRI did not find clinically significant lymphoma lesions beyond the head and trunk. Standard MRI protocols focusing on these areas may be sufficient for lymphoma staging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate staging is crucial for effective lymphoma treatment.
- MRI is a key imaging modality for lymphoma staging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare whole-body MRI with a limited field-of-view MRI (head/neck to groin) for detecting clinically relevant lymphoma lesions.
- To determine if whole-body MRI alters lymphoma staging compared to standard MRI protocols.
Main Methods:
- 100 newly diagnosed lymphoma patients prospectively underwent whole-body MRI.
- Lymphomatous sites were counted using both limited (head/neck/trunk) and whole-body MRI protocols.
- The impact of detected lesions on Ann Arbor staging was assessed.
Main Results:
- A limited field-of-view MRI identified 507 lymphomatous sites.
- Whole-body MRI detected 7 additional sites outside the head/neck/trunk in 7% of patients.
- No changes in Ann Arbor stage were observed due to the additional sites.
Conclusions:
- Whole-body MRI did not reveal clinically relevant lesions missed by a head/neck and trunk MRI protocol.
- Current MRI protocols focusing on the head/neck and trunk appear sufficient for lymphoma staging.
- Limiting MRI to the head/neck and trunk may be adequate for lymphoma staging.
