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Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter
Published on: December 19, 2017
Emerging Roles of PET/MR in the Pediatric Hospital
Sandra Saade-Lemus1, Sara R Teixeira2, Arastoo Vossough3
1Radiology Department, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Section of Oncologic Imaging, Radiology Department, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Add "improving" before "detection"? PET/MR is beneficial particularly in pediatric patients who undergo recurrent imaging, such as those with cancer or chronic inflammatory disease. PET/MR has advantages compared with PET/computed tomography, including decreased radiation exposure and superior characterization of soft tissue. Ongoing challenges include reducing examination duration and costs and detection of pulmonary lesions. Accepted clinical applications of PET/MR in pediatric patients are evaluation of epileptic foci and diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of solid tumors. PET/MR also may have a role in diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory conditions relevant to the pediatric population, including osteomyelitis and Crohn disease.
Insights
Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) offers reduced radiation exposure and improved soft tissue imaging for pediatric patients. While challenges like scan duration and pulmonary lesion detection remain, it shows promise for various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric patients often require recurrent imaging, increasing cumulative radiation exposure.
- PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a common modality but involves significant radiation.
- Soft tissue characterization can be limited with certain imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits and challenges of Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance imaging (PET/MR) in pediatric patients.
- To compare PET/MR with PET/CT regarding radiation dose and soft tissue imaging.
- To explore current and potential clinical applications of PET/MR in pediatrics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical applications of PET/MR in pediatric imaging.
- Comparison of imaging characteristics and radiation profiles of PET/MR versus PET/CT.
- Identification of accepted and emerging uses of PET/MR in pediatric diagnosis and management.
Main Results:
- PET/MR provides decreased radiation exposure compared to PET/CT.
- PET/MR offers superior soft tissue characterization.
- Established applications include epilepsy evaluation and pediatric solid tumor management; emerging roles in inflammatory conditions are noted.
Conclusions:
- PET/MR is a valuable tool for pediatric patients, especially those needing serial imaging.
- Key advantages include reduced radiation and enhanced soft tissue detail.
- Further optimization is needed for scan time, cost-effectiveness, and pulmonary lesion detection.
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