Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2019; 23(03): 312-323
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685540
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Update on Whole-body MRI in Musculoskeletal Applications

Joan C. Vilanova
1   Department of Radiology, Clínica Girona, Institute of Diagnostic Imaging (IDI)-Girona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Spain
,
Roberto García-Figueiras
2   Department of Radiology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
,
Antonio Luna
3   Health Time, Clínica Las Nieves, Jaén, Spain; Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Sandra Baleato-González
2   Department of Radiology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
,
Xavier Tomás
4   Department of Radiology (CDIC), Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
,
José A. Narváez
5   Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 June 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is a powerful tool increasingly used to assess oncologic and nononcologic diseases. WB-MRI provides information about diffuse multifocal pathologies with excellent anatomical definition through high soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution as well as valuable functional information from diffusion-weighted images. In addition to its roles in establishing the diagnosis and assessing the extent and severity of disease, WB-MRI is also useful for monitoring the response to treatment for malignant and benign systemic diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. This article reviews and updates the applications of WB-MRI in current practice, discussing the role of this helpful tool in various conditions involving the musculoskeletal system including bone metastases, hematologic cancers, inflammatory processes, infections, and multisystemic-multifocal bone, nerve, vascular, and muscle/soft tissue disorders, as well as other idiopathic conditions.