Can a brain tumor be detected on a whole-body MRI scan?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. The term whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a general term used for imaging multiple parts and it includes the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The limbs are usually not included. When doing whole-body MRI it is usually a comprehensive investigation done to screen for any abnormal areas. In contrast, an MRI brain scan, a detailed assessment of the brain is done. It will include more sequences and will see the area in much detail. In the whole body, contrast-MRI protocols differ from one center to another, it is not clear if they have done a complete detailed assessment of the brain as a part of the MRI whole body. This is a limitation due to which your doctors have asked for a new contrast MRI brain. Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thanks for writing to us, It is less likely for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)'s whole body scan (including the brain) to miss any brain lesion. They will scan necessary areas of the brain if it is included in MRI whole body. However, the type of machine and technical factors are important and if your MRI whole body scan (including the brain) was done on a machine having less magnet strength then it might help to do the MRI brain scan in a good machine. Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thanks for writing to us. The possibility of tumors visualized in a plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain compared to a contrast MRI brain is in the range of approximately 95 to 99 percent and is an approximate value. So there is a slight possibility of a plain MRI brain scan not being able to detect tumors and this usually happens with the lesions which are occult on plain scans. Thank you.