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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2010; 14(1): 068-085
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248707
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Whole-Body Imaging Modalities in Oncology

Fiona Carty1 , Conor P. Shortt2 , Martin J. Shelly3 , Stephen J. Eustace1 , 3 , 4 , Martin J. O'Connell3
  • 1Department of Radiology, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin, Ireland
  • 2Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • 3Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
  • 4Department of Radiology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2010 (online)

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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.

KEYWORDS

WBMRI - whole-body CT - PETCT - oncology

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Fiona CartyM.B. 

Department of Radiology, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital

Finglas, Dublin 11, Ireland

Email: fcarty@gmail.com

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