Fast whole-body assessment of metastatic disease using a novel magnetic resonance imaging system: initial experiences.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical use of a novel whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for comprehensive assessment of tumor spread in clinical routine.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients with different tumors with known metastatic disease and 6 healthy volunteers were included. High-resolution MRI from head to toe was performed using multiple phased-array surface coil elements, 24 independent receiver channels, and an integrated parallel acquisition technique (iPAT). A total room time of less than 60 minutes was required. Whole-body MRI and conventional spiral computed tomography (CT) were independently evaluated and compared in terms of feasibility, location/number of detected metastases, and therapeutic relevance.


RESULTS
Whole-body MRI was successfully performed in 68 of 71 subjects. Compared with CT, more metastases were detected by MRI in 11 of 63 patients (17%), particularly in brain, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, muscle, and subcutaneous fat tissue. According to these findings, therapy had to be modified in 6 of 63 patients (10%).


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution whole-body MRI is feasible in clinical routine within 1 single examination and offers great potential for fast assessment of individual tumor spread and total tumor burden.
Schlemmer
Heinz-Peter
HP
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany. Heinz-peter.schlemmer@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Schäfer
Jürgen
J
Pfannenberg
Christina
C
Radny
Peter
P
Korchidi
Sascha
S
Müller-Horvat
Christian
C
Nägele
Thomas
T
Tomaschko
Katrin
K
Fenchel
Michael
M
Claussen
Claus D
CD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D047368:Tumor Burden