Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41117823›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2026

Optimizing whole-body MRI for early cancer detection in Li-Fraumeni syndrome: a prospective bicentric study.

Myriam Margareta Keymling, Felix Tobias Kurz, Tristan Anselm Kuder, Sebastian Bickelhaupt, Thomas Hielscher, Robert Hog, Theresa Mokry, Tawfik Moher Alsady, Sarah Schott, Christian Kratz and 2 more

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Myriam Margareta KeymlingDivision of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. m.keymling@dkfz-heidelberg.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4447-5636
Felix Tobias KurzDivision of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Tristan Anselm KuderDepartment of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Sebastian BickelhauptInstitute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Thomas HielscherDivision of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Robert HogDivision of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Theresa MokryDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Tawfik Moher AlsadyDepartment of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Campus Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Sarah SchottDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Christian KratzDepartment of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
Diane Miriam RenzDepartment of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
Heinz-Peter SchlemmerDivision of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.

Funding

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung 01GM1909E
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAnnual whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is recommended for early cancer detection in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). However, there is no agreement on a standardized MRI protocol. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of different MRI sequences to suggest an optimized protocol for LFS surveillance. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this prospective bicentric study, 113 participants with LFS underwent annual WB-MRI and were included in the analysis. The protocol comprised turbo-spin echo (TSE) T1-weighted and inversion-recovery T2-weighted (TIRM) images of the whole body in coronal orientation, and T2-weighted (HASTE), diffusion-weighted (DWI), and T1-weighted DIXON images (pre- and post-contrast agent administration) from head to thighs in axial orientation. An additional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence imaged the skull only. Initial clinical interpretation was conducted by staff radiologists. The visibility of reported mass lesions was independently graded in all sequences by three experienced radiologists using a Likert scale. Sequence combinations were compared to inform the design of an optimal MRI protocol.

resultsOver 30 months, 189 WB-MRI examinations were performed in 113 participants (mean age 40 years, ±12.7 years [standard deviation], 91 women). 188 mass lesions were detected and confirmed as malignant (n = 38), benign (n = 120) or ambiguous (n = 30). In the multi-reader analysis, all new malignant lesions could have been detected by a combination of cranial FLAIR, whole-body DWI, and whole-body HASTE in the axial direction.

conclusionA shortened, contrast-agent-free WB-MRI protocol combining cranial FLAIR, WB-HASTE, and WB-DWI promises to be an effective and patient-friendly approach for annual cancer surveillance in LFS. KEY POINTS: Question Annual whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is recommended for early cancer detection for individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), but a standardized sequence protocol has yet to be established. Findings The combination of cranial FLAIR, whole-body HASTE, and whole-body DWI in the axial plane enabled visualization of all newly developed malignant lesions in our study cohort. Clinical relevance A shortened, standardized WB-MRI protocol enables efficient, sensitive early cancer detection in individuals with LFS, minimizing patient burden by reducing examination time and contrast agent use. This approach may improve surveillance participation while enhancing comparability across centers.

Indexed as

Early Detection of CancerLi-Fraumeni SyndromeMagnetic Resonance ImagingWhole Body ImagingAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSensitivity and SpecificityYoung AdultLi-Fraumeni syndromeMagnetic resonance imagingProtocol optimizationSurveillanceWhole-body

Identifiers

PMID41117823
PMCPMC13035607

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.