MRI DWIBS –A novel way of non-invasive Whole body imaging

Abstract

Background: Whole body imaging is vital in the management of patients having malignancies. It is an established practice to use Bone scan and PET-Scans for follow up of oncology patients to evaluate metastases. But these modalities are not radiation free. Moreover as the availability of these imaging modalities is limited, waiting period is also more.

Purpose:  A study was therefore undertaken to see if the MRI DWIBS whole body imaging programme could be used in this scenario to get satisfactory answers, as the facility of MRI is usually available and radiation free.

Materials and methods: Diffusion weighted whole body Magnetic Resonance Imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) was performed using 1.5 T Philips MRI on patients suffering from malignancies and results were analyzed. DWIBS images were displayed with inversion of grey scale so as to resemble images of Bone scan.

Results: DWIBS MRI was successful in demonstrating the presence and extent of bone as well as soft tissue metastases. Detail MRI studies are indicated when in depth evaluation of the pathology is desired.

Conclusion: MRI DWIBS is a new non-invasive  acceptable way of evaluating metastases and thus be benefit when bone scan and PET scan facilities are not available or are very costly especially in a rural setup. Further comparative studies are necessary to evaluate if DWIBS can replace bone scan or PET scan.

KEYWORDS: Whole body imaging, Oncoimaging, Cancer imaging, DWIBS MRI, Bone scan, PET scan, Non Invasive Imaging