Whole-Body MRI Versus 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the Detection of Nodal and Distant Metastases in Pediatric Patients with Solid Tumors

Abstract

Simple Summary When cancer is diagnosed in a child, it is essential to determine whether it has spread to other parts of the body, because this influences treatment and the chances of recovery. Positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography is a common diagnostic test that is used for this purpose. However, it involves radiation, which is a particular concern in children. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging is a radiation-free alternative that may improve the detection of cancer spread. In this study, we compared these two imaging methods in children with solid tumors. We found that both methods performed similarly before treatment initiation. When both imaging techniques were used in combination, all confirmed metastatic lesions were detected with high overall accuracy. These findings suggest that combining the two methods could improve cancer staging and support more informed treatment decisions for children with solid tumors.