Whole-body MRI screening

Whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) acquires multi-station images covering the brain, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis without ionising radiation, enabling simultaneous assessment of soft tissue, organs and bone marrow in a single session lasting approximately 45–90 minutes. Its clinical utility is established in specific contexts — surveillance of hereditary cancer syndromes (Li-Fraumeni, BRCA2) and staging of multiple myeloma — but evidence for benefit in asymptomatic general-population screening is lacking; randomised trial data demonstrating reduced morbidity or mortality from commercial longevity-screening offerings are not available. Incidentaloma rates are high, with studies reporting clinically significant and minor incidental findings in 30–50% of asymptomatic subjects, creating a risk of diagnostic cascades involving further imaging, biopsy and unnecessary intervention. Major radiology and oncology societies have not endorsed WB-MRI for routine preventive screening outside of defined high-risk genetic populations.