In the pursuit of early detection excellence, no single diagnostic imaging technology tells the complete story. In clinical practice, specialists routinely employ multiple imaging techniques, each optimised for specific areas of the body. Cancer screening should be no different. That’s why Whole Body MRI™ partners with world-class radiology facilities, such as Mermaid Beach Radiology, to enhance full-body MRI with additional imaging technologies that maximise screening confidence.
Advanced MRI Technology Meets Specialised Chest Imaging
Our breakthrough development in cancer-sensitive diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) provides unmatched precision in identifying early physiological changes associated with cancerous lesions, often before symptoms appear. While Whole Body MRI™ provides exceptional imaging of soft tissues and the musculoskeletal system, certain areas like the lungs require additional targeted imaging due to the fundamental physics of MRI technology.
Magnetic resonance imaging relies on hydrogen nuclei (protons) in water and fat to generate high-resolution images. The air-filled nature of lungs means they contain minimal water and fat, resulting in reduced tissue contrast. This physical limitation affects both conventional and advanced MRI sequences, lowering sensitivity for small lung nodules.
Currently, our Whole Body MRI™ technology successfully detects lung nodules larger than 10mm. While these are considered relatively small, the Fleischer Society recommends monitoring incidental nodules 6mm or larger. To address these inherent limitations of full-body MRI in air-tissue interfaces, our expert team incorporates complementary lung screening using computed tomography, the recognised gold standard for lung imaging.
The CT Advantage for Lung Screening
Unlike MRI, which uses non-ionising radiation, CT scanning employs X-rays to capture multiple cross-sectional “slices” of the body. This approach transcends traditional front- and side-view X-rays by providing detailed “top-down” perspectives of chest structures. The result is dramatically improved sensitivity for small lung nodules that might otherwise be obscured by the heart or ribcage in conventional X-ray imaging.
The radiation dose in CT imaging depends on various factors: protocol settings (including slice number and spatial resolution), use of intravenous iodine-based contrast, scanned anatomical region, and patient size. Importantly, the radiation doses used in diagnostic CT chest imaging for symptomatic patients are inappropriate for screening asymptomatic individuals.
Revolutionary Low-Dose Protocols
For regular screening, clinics typically offer low-dose CT chest protocols. While Australian guidelines haven’t yet established “low dose” benchmarks, international lung screening programs set the standard at 2.0 mSv or less – equivalent to approximately fourteen months of natural background radiation in Australia (~1.7mSv).
At Mermaid Beach Radiology, our Whole Body MRI™ partner clinic has achieved unprecedented excellence in dose reduction while maintaining diagnostic confidence. Through meticulous optimisation, the expert team has reduced low-dose CT chest screening radiation by 60% while preserving valuable SPECTRAL data – an achievement yet to be documented in scientific literature.
Our current low-dose CT chest protocol delivers an average radiation dose of just 0.7 mSv, equivalent to 5 months of natural background exposure in Australia. By including this scan in our Whole Body MRI™ base packages, our radiologists can characterise lung lesions as small as 5mm – less than half the size detectable on MRI alone. This enhanced pulmonary coverage perfectly complements our head-to-toe MRI screening.
Beyond lung pathology, our low-dose protocol extends to screening the superior poles of the kidneys, identifying incidental lesions or stones. The Spectral capability allows determination of kidney stone composition, particularly valuable since some types, like uric acid stones, can be dissolved with oral medication. This additional screening data empowers proactive health management before symptoms develop.
Ultra-Low Dose Innovation
Following clear results from initial low-dose CT chest screening, we offer subsequent lung screenings using our advanced ultra-low-dose protocol. This modified approach foregoes Spectral data acquisition, enabling even lower radiation doses without compromising diagnostic quality. At doses as low as 0.17 mSv – equivalent to roughly 1.5 months of natural background radiation – this exclusive technique matches standard chest X-ray radiation dose while maintaining the superior nodule detection capabilities of a chest CT.
The Power of Combined Technologies
By integrating the strengths of low-dose chest CT with our unparalleled Whole Body MRI™ scan, we achieve screening confidence that surpasses what either technology could provide alone. This strategic combination ensures comprehensive coverage by addressing the unique capabilities and limitations of each imaging method. The result is meticulous attention to detail that empowers early detection and establishes new standards in preventative healthcare.
Begin your journey into the known by consulting your trusted medical provider to discover if Whole Body MRI™ with low-dose CT chest screening aligns with your preventative health goals.
References
- Heber MacMahon, David P. Naidich, Jin Mo Goo, Kyung Soo Lee, Ann N. C. Leung, John R. Mayo, Atul C. Mehta, Yoshiharu Ohno, Charles A. Powell, Mathias Prokop, Geoffrey D. Rubin, Cornelia M. Schaefer-Prokop, William D. Travis, Paul E. Van Schil, and Alexander A. Bankier. Guidelines for management of incidental pulmonary nodules detected on CT images: From the Fleischner Society 2017. Radiology. 2017; 284(1): https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2017161659
- Pozzessere C, von Garnier C, Beigelman-Aubry C. Radiation Exposure to Low-Dose Computed Tomography for Lung Cancer Screening: Should We Be Concerned?. Tomography. 2023;9(1):166-177. Published 2023 Jan 24. doi:10.3390/tomography9010015
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. What is background radiation? ARPANSA. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/what-is-background-radiation Accessed: 09 December 2024
- Gobi K, Arunachalam VK, Varatharajaperumal RK, Cherian M, Periaswamy G, Rajesh S. The role of ultra-low-dose computed tomography in the detection of pulmonary pathologies: a prospective observational study. Pol J Radiol. 2022;87:e597-e605. Published 2022 Nov 4. doi:10.5114/pjr.2022.121433