Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging: a useful additional sequence in paediatric imaging.

BACKGROUND

Whole-body MR (WBMR) imaging allows the acquisition of images of the entire body in a matter of minutes. Its use has primarily been in the evaluation of possible metastases in the setting of a known primary tumour.

OBJECTIVE

To document the value of WBMR imaging in ten children in whom this was added as an additional sequence when the primary diagnosis had not yet been made.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ten children, age range 4 months-15 years (mean 7 years 4 months) had WBMR imaging after initial MR showed an abnormality that raised the possibility of systemic disease. Initial scanning was of the brain (n=1), spine (n=2), retroperitoneum (n=4), hips (n=1), femur (n=1) and wrist (n=1).

RESULTS

Abnormalities were detected in eight patients. Two patients had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and another had an anaplastic lymphoma, unsuspected prior to the WBMR. Two patients had a previously undiagnosed neuroblastoma with bone marrow metastases. Two patients had Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. Another had multiple bone lesions due to cystic angiomatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

WBMR imaging may be a useful additional sequence in children in whom a systemic and especially a bone marrow abnormality is suspected.