Clinical Applications and Controversies of Whole-Body MRI: <i>AJR</i> Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Abstract

Whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is increasing in clinical acceptance and utilization for a range of indications. WB-MRI is currently an established screening tool for children and adults at high risk of developing malignancy, with the strongest supporting evidence in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. WB-MRI has been added to professional society guidelines for staging disease in patients with certain malignancies including multiple myeloma and has been proposed as a technique to screen for metastatic disease in patients with visceral malignancies including prostate cancer and breast cancer. Emerging data support the utility of WB-MRI in children with malignancies such as Ewing sarcoma, in adults with myxoid liposarcoma, and in pregnant patients with occult or newly detected malignancy. WB-MRI can further help evaluate disease extent and treatment response in patients with nononcologic conditions such as chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis, myopathy, inflammatory arthritis, and fever of unknown origin. This <i>AJR</i> Expert Panel Narrative Review summarizes available evidence and recommendations supporting the clinical applications of WB-MRI. This article also highlights limitations, barriers, and controversies associated with utilization of WB-MRI in routine clinical practice.