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| Susanne C. Ladd is Senior
Radiologist at the Department
of Diagnostic and Interventional
Radiology and Neuroradiology
(Director: Professor Michael
Forsting) at the University
Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
After studying physics and
medicine at the University of
Münster, Germany, she received
her postgraduate training
in general radiology at the
University Hospital Zurich and
the University Hospital Hannover
(Director: Professor Michael
Galanski). Her main interests are
whole-body screening MRI and,
recently, high field MRI. |
Whole-body MRI
Susanne C. Ladd
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen,
Germany
Address for correspondence:
Susanne C. Ladd MD
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen
Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
Tel. +49-201-723-84534 Fax +49-201-723-1548
Email: susanne.ladd@uni-duisburg-essen.de
Abstract
This article discusses recent developments in whole body
magnetic resonance imaging (wb-MRI) and its
clinical indications. Improvements in hardware, such
as extended table translation, and a high number of
simultaneous receiver channels are prerequisites for
wb-MRI. Generally, two different strategies can be
followed: multi-station wb-MRI and data acquisition
during continuous table movement, both permitting
a variety of different sequences and contrasts.
Wb-MR angiography facilitates the visualisation of
the entire arterial system from head to toe with
the exception of the coronary arteries. Wb-MRI can
replace skeletal scintigraphy in the detection of bone
marrow metastases by using fluid-sensitive sequences,
while fast contrast-enhanced sequences can be used
as an alternative approach in the search for tumours
and metastases. Such a wb-MRI approach can even
be superior to a combination of positron emission
tomography and computer tomography in the
detection of distant metastases.
One of the challenges for which the radiologist must be
prepared in wb-MR protocols is a dramatic increase in
image data, which might result in an increase in false
negative findings.
Further developments in wb-MRI aim at multi-contrast
imaging and further improvements in coil technology
for faster data acquisition (parallel imaging), with the
goal of reducing total examination costs.
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