Whole-body MRI in the pediatric patient

Whole-body MRI is a fast and accurate modality for detection and monitoring of disease throughout the entire body. For pediatric use the technique is of special interest twofold: first it is a radiological method without radiation exposure and second it allows for whole-body staging as well as for detailed local evaluation for surgical treatment thus reducing the number of examinations to be performed in sedation. In the pediatric population the technique is used for oncological, non-oncological (i.e. fever of unknown origin, osteonecrosis) staging and for disease severity assessment of syndromes affecting the whole body. These applications will be reviewed and imaging protocols will be presented.