Whole-body MRI in oncology: acquisition protocols, current guidelines, and beyond

Area of Science:

• Oncologic Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is increasingly utilized in oncology.
• Standardized practical guidance and acquisition protocols are needed for optimal WB-MRI implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a narrative review of practical aspects of WB-MRI in oncology.
• To synthesize various WB-MRI acquisition protocols from literature and guidelines.
• To offer suggested acquisition parameters for different MRI vendors.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of literature focusing on WB-MRI in oncology.
• Analysis of patient preparation strategies to improve acceptance and comfort.
• Synthesis of established WB-MRI protocols (MET-RADS-P, MY-RADS, ONCO-RADS) and emerging applications.

Main Results:

• Identified key strategies for patient preparation, including anxiety reduction and staff-patient interaction.
• Summarized WB-MRI protocols for various cancers (breast, ovarian, melanoma, colorectal, lung, lymphoma, unknown primary).
• Presented potential acquisition parameters for WB-MRI across three major MR system vendors.

Conclusions:

• WB-MRI is a valuable tool in oncology, requiring careful patient preparation and standardized protocols.
• The review provides a practical guide to WB-MRI acquisition and protocol selection for diverse oncologic applications.
• Standardized parameters can facilitate consistent and reliable WB-MRI interpretation across different systems.