title: [Whole-body MR diagnostic concepts].
abstract: The term whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) covers a whole series of different MRI techniques that can be used for detecting various diseases. Whole-body magnetic resonance angiography facilitates the visualization of the entire arterial system from head to toe with the exception of the coronary arteries. Whole-body MRA is clinically used for therapy planning in patients with multiple stenoses and may be able to be used in the future as a screening method for high risk populations, for example in patients with coronary heart disease. Whole-body MRI can replace skeletal scintigraphy in the detection of bone marrow metastases by using fluid-sensitive sequences. Fast contrast-enhanced sequences can be used as an alternative approach in the search for tumors. Whole-body MRI can even be superior to a combination of positron-emission tomography and computed tomography in the detection of distant metastases. This article presents the recent developments in whole-body MRI and its established indications, which in the future might lead to a change in the paradigm for the diagnostic work-up of many diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinik Essen. susanne.ladd@uni-duisburg-essen.de
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ladd
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zenge
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsting
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends