The goal of the Whole Body MRI (WBMRI) working group is to generate consensus recommendations and identify priority areas for future research regarding WB-MRI as an NF clinical trials endpoint. Our group assesses the diagnostic accuracy of WBMRI, feasibility and reproducibility of WBMRI, and data about specific techniques for assessment of tumor burden, characterization of neoplasms and response to therapy.
Current group leader: Shivani Ahlawat, MD
Past group leader: Jaishri Blakeley, MD
Current research areas of priority include:
1. Evaluate the test-retest variability and interobserver performance of WB-MRI in NF
2. Investigate functional MRI (quantitative diffusionw eighted imaging (DWI)/apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping) versus other imaging modalities such as 18F-FDG PET/CT for tumor characterization and assessment of treatment response
3. Investigate the added value of contrast enhanced imaging to WB-MRI protocol for tumor characterization and assessment of treatment response.
1. Ahlawat S, Fayad LM, Khan MS, et al. Current whole-body MRI applications in the neurofibromatoses: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. Neurology 2016 Aug 16;87(7 Suppl 1): S31-9. [PDF]