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.