Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Current Role in Patients with Lymphoma

• Main Authors: Domenico Albano, Giuseppe Micci, Caterina Patti, Federico Midiri, Silvia Albano, Giuseppe Lo Re, Emanuele Grassedonio, Ludovico La Grutta, Roberto Lagalla, Massimo Galia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Diagnostics
• Subjects: lymphoma; staging; magnetic resonance imaging; diffusion-weighted imaging; whole-body imaging
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/11/6/1007

Imaging of lymphoma is based on the use of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) and/or contrast-enhanced CT, but concerns have been raised regarding radiation exposure related to imaging scans in patients with cancer, and its association with increased risk of secondary tumors in patients with lymphoma has been established. To date, lymphoproliferative disorders are among the most common indications to perform whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whole-body MRI is superior to contrast-enhanced CT for staging the disease, also being less dependent on histology if compared to ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT. As well, it does not require exposure to ionizing radiation and could be used for the surveillance of lymphoma. The current role of whole-body MRI in the diagnostic workup in lymphoma is examined in the present review along with the diagnostic performance in staging, response assessment and surveillance of different lymphoma subtypes.