Whole-body imaging modalities in oncology

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2010 Mar;14(1):68-85. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1248707. Epub 2010 Mar 12.

Abstract

This article outlines the expanding approaches to whole-body imaging in oncology focusing on whole-body MRI and comparing it to emerging applications of whole-body CT, scintigraphy, and above all PET CT imaging. Whole-body MRI is widely available, non-ionizing and rapidly acquired, and inexpensive relative to PET CT. While it has many advantages, WBMRI is non-specific and, when compared to PET CT, is less sensitive. This article expands each of these issues comparing individual modalities as they refer to specific cancers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Whole Body Imaging*