Enhancing lymphoma staging: Unveiling the potential and challenges of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Lambert et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Radiology. The focus of the editorial is to explore the advancements in whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) technology, its current clinical applications, and the challenges that must be addressed to fully realize its potential in oncological imaging. WB-MRI has emerged as a pivotal tool in oncological imaging, offering comprehensive disease assessment without ionizing radiation. Its applications span the detection of bone metastases, evaluation of hematologic malignancies, and staging of a wide range of cancers, including lymphoma, prostate, and breast cancers. Advanced techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging have enhanced its diagnostic performance by providing superior lesion-to-background contrast and quantitative metrics. Despite its diagnostic strengths, WB-MRI faces challenges in standardization, patient acceptance, and integration into clinical workflows. Variability in acquisition protocols, hardware differences, and patient-related factors, such as anxiety and motion artifacts, have limited widespread adoption. Emerging guidelines like MET-RADS-P and ONCO-RADS aim to address these issues by promoting standardized protocols tailored to specific clinical needs. This editorial explores the advancements in WB-MRI technology, its current clinical applications, and the barriers that must be overcome to maximize its utility. By addressing these challenges and embracing standardization, WB-MRI holds the potential to redefine the landscape of oncological imaging, aligning diagnostic precision with modern treatment goals of reducing long-term patient risk.