Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
-
J Magn Reson Imaging · Jan 2017
ReviewWhole-body PET/MRI for colorectal cancer staging: Is it the way forward?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presently the modality of choice for the local staging of rectal cancer, with positron emission tomography (PET) being optional for the evaluation of colorectal cancer. Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that liver MRI using hepatocyte-specific contrast agents can provide high diagnostic performance in the detection of colorectal cancer liver metastases. ⋯ This review offers a brief overview of the technical considerations of the PET/MRI system, and the current status of imaging modalities in the staging of colorectal cancer. The potential of whole-body PET/MRI to improve the performance of colorectal cancer staging and the results of several recent studies will be discussed, and workflow considerations of whole-body PET/MRI for patients with colorectal cancer will be addressed.