Polypharmacy, functional outcome and treatment effect of intravenous alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Polypharmacy is an important challenge in clinical practice. Our aim was to determine the effect of polypharmacy on functional outcome and treatment effect of alteplase in acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of the randomized, placebo-controlled WAKE-UP trial of magnetic resonance imaging guided intravenous alteplase in unknown onset stroke. Polypharmacy was defined as an intake of five or more medications at baseline. Comorbidities were assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The primary efficacy variable was favourable outcome defined by a score of 0-1 on the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Logistic regression analysis was used to test for an association of polypharmacy with functional outcome, and for interaction of polypharmacy and the effect of thrombolysis. RESULTS: Polypharmacy was present in 133/503 (26%) patients. Patients with polypharmacy were older (mean age 70 vs. 64 years; p < 0.0001) and had a higher score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at baseline (median 7 vs. 5; p = 0.0007). A comorbidity load defined by a CCI score ≥ 2 was more frequent in patients with polypharmacy (48% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). Polypharmacy was associated with lower odds of favourable outcome (adjusted odds ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.85; p = 0.0099), whilst the CCI score was not. Treatment with alteplase was associated with higher odds of favourable outcome in both groups, with no heterogeneity of treatment effect (test for interaction of treatment and polypharmacy, p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: In stroke patients, polypharmacy is associated with worse functional outcome after intravenous thrombolysis independent of comorbidities. However, polypharmacy does not interact with the beneficial effect of alteplase.

18F-FDG PET/TC para la estadificación y la delineación del volumen de radioterapia en el cáncer de cabeza y cuello / 18F-FDG PET/CT in staging and delineation of radiotherapy volume for head and neck cancer

OBJETIVOS: Investigar el uso de la 18F-FDG(flúor-18 fluorodesoxiglucosa) PET/TC en la estadificación del cáncer de cabeza y cuello (CCC) y su repercusión en la decisión terapéutica y planificación de tratamiento radioterápico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyen 100 pacientes con CCC y la siguiente localización tumoral: 18% cavidad oral, 20% orofaringe, 12% hipofaringe, 11% nasofaringe, 37% laringe, 2% senos paranasales. La estadificación tumoral según la AJCC (American Joint Committee of Cancer, 7th) es: 5%-I, 7%-II, 14%-III, 61%-IVA, 7%-IVB, 6%-IVC. Se les realiza una TC y una 18F-FDG PET/TC en condiciones de simulación para comparar la reclasificación del estadiaje. Además, se analizan los cambios de actitud terapéutica. RESULTADOS: La 18F-FDG PET/CT detecta 6 pacientes metastásicos que requieren tratamiento paliativo y 8 tumores sincrónicos, siendo uno paliativo. Se produce una reclasificación del estadiaje en 27 pacientes. La extensión tumoral varía en 28 (14% sobre-estadificación, 14% infra-estadificación), implicando una variación en el contorneo del GTV (Gross Tumor Volume). La estadificación ganglionar cambia en 47: 8 pacientes son infra-estadificados (N2C cambia a N2A/N2B/N1) y 2 son falsos positivos. Diecinueve pacientes son falsos negativos y 5 con afectación ganglionar unilateral (N1/N2A/N2B) muestran actividad metabólica bilateral. Estos cambios de estadificación implican una adaptación del volumen ganglionar a irradiar. CONCLUSIONES: La 18F-FDG PET/TC produce una reclasificación superior al 10% en casi todas las categorías estudiadas (cTNM, extensión tumoral, enfermedad ganglionar) y detecta más estadíos metastásicos y tumores sincrónicos que los estudios convencionales, lo que genera un impacto en el manejo del paciente y contorneo de los volúmenes de radioterapia

PURPUSE: The aim is to investigate the use of 18F-FDG (fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose) PET/CT in head and neck cancer (HNC) staging and its effect on the therapeutic strategy and radiotherapy (RT) planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred patients with HNC were included. Primary tumor sites: 18% oral cavity, 20% oropharynx, 12% hypopharynx, 11% nasopharynx, 37% larynx, 2% paranasal sinuses. Patients were staged according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer 7th edition. Stage: 5% stage I, 7% stage II, 14% stage III, 61% stage IVA, 7% stage IVB and 6% stage IVC. A contrast-enhanced CT and a 18F-FDG PET/CT acquired under RT position were performed. Both exams were compared to analyze patients' staging reclassification. Changes in therapeutic strategy were analyzed. RESULTS: 18F-FDG PET/CT detected 6 distant metastases and treatment intention changed to palliative. Eight synchronous tumors were detected; one received palliative treatment.18F-FDG PET/CT reclassified cTNM staging in 27patients. Tumor extension changed in 28 (14% up-staged; 14% down-staged), implying a change in GTV (Gross Tumor Volume) delineation. Nodal detection was reclassified in 47 PATIENTS: 8 patients down-staged (N2C to N2A/N2B/N1) and 2 were false positive. Nineteen patients were false negatives and 5 staged as N+(N1/N2A/N2B) turned out into N2C. These staging modifications imply adapting the nodal volume to be irradiated. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET/CT reclassification was higher than 10% in almost all categories studied (cTNM, tumor extension and nodal disease) and detects more metastases and synchronous tumors than conventional studies, which has an impact on the therapeutic patient management and RT planning

Predicting Motor Outcome in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Predicting motor outcome following intracerebral hemorrhage is challenging. We tested whether the combination of clinical scores and DTI-based assessment of corticospinal tract damage within the first 12 hours of symptom onset after intracerebral hemorrhage predicts motor outcome at 3 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied patients with motor deficits secondary to primary intracerebral hemorrhage within the first 12 hours of symptom onset. Patients underwent multimodal MR imaging including DTI. We assessed intracerebral hemorrhage and perihematomal edema location and volume, and corticospinal tract involvement. The corticospinal tract was considered affected when the tractogram passed through the intracerebral hemorrhage or/and the perihematomal edema. We also calculated affected corticospinal tract-to-unaffected corticospinal tract ratios for fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and axial and radial diffusivities. Motor impairment was graded by the motor subindex scores of the modified NIHSS. Motor outcome at 3 months was classified as good (modified NIHSS 0-3) or poor (modified NIHSS 4-8). RESULTS: Of 62 patients, 43 were included. At admission, the median NIHSS score was 13 (interquartile range = 8-17), and the median modified NIHSS score was 5 (interquartile range = 2-8). At 3 months, 13 (30.23%) had poor motor outcome. Significant independent predictors of motor outcome were NIHSS and modified NIHSS at admission, posterior limb of the internal capsule involvement by intracerebral hemorrhage at admission, intracerebral hemorrhage volume at admission, 72-hour NIHSS, and 72-hour modified NIHSS. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for poor motor outcome at 3 months by a combined modified NIHSS of >6 and posterior limb of the internal capsule involvement in the first 12 hours from symptom onset were 84%, 79%, 65%, and 92%, respectively (area under the curve = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.78-1). CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment of motor function and posterior limb of the internal capsule damage during acute intracerebral hemorrhage accurately predicts motor outcome.

18F-FDG PET/CT in staging and delineation of radiotherapy volume for head and neck cancer. / 18F-FDG PET/TC para la estadificación y la delineación del volumen de radioterapia en el cáncer de cabeza y cuello.

PURPOSE: The aim is to investigate the use of 18F-FDG (fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose) PET/CT in head and neck cancer (HNC) staging and its effect on the therapeutic strategy and radiotherapy (RT) planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred patients with HNC were included. Primary tumor sites: 18% oral cavity, 20% oropharynx, 12% hypopharynx, 11% nasopharynx, 37% larynx, 2% paranasal sinuses. Patients were staged according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer 7th edition. Stage: 5% stage I, 7% stage II, 14% stage III, 61% stage IVA, 7% stage IVB and 6% stage IVC. A contrast-enhanced CT and a 18F-FDG PET/CT acquired under RT position were performed. Both exams were compared to analyze patients' staging reclassification. Changes in therapeutic strategy were analyzed. RESULTS: 18F-FDG PET/CT detected 6 distant metastases and treatment intention changed to palliative. Eight synchronous tumors were detected; one received palliative treatment. 18F-FDG PET/CT reclassified cTNM staging in 27patients. Tumor extension changed in 28 (14% up-staged; 14% down-staged), implying a change in GTV (Gross Tumor Volume) delineation. Nodal detection was reclassified in 47 patients: 8 patients down-staged (N2C to N2A/N2B/N1) and 2 were false positive. Nineteen patients were false negatives and 5 staged as N+(N1/N2A/N2B) turned out into N2C. These staging modifications imply adapting the nodal volume to be irradiated. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET/CT reclassification was higher than 10% in almost all categories studied (cTNM, tumor extension and nodal disease) and detects more metastases and synchronous tumors than conventional studies, which has an impact on the therapeutic patient management and RT planning.

Neuroinflammation in obesity: circulating lipopolysaccharide-binding protein associates with brain structure and cognitive performance.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Growing evidence implicates neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity and cognitive dysfunction in rodent models. Obesity is associated with reduced white matter integrity and cognitive decline. Circulating lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) concentration is known to be increased in patients with obesity. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether circulating LBP is associated longitudinally with white matter structure and cognitive performance according to obesity status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This longitudinal study analyzed circulating LBP (ELISA), DTI-metrics (axial diffusivity (L1), fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD)) in specific regions of the white matter of 24 consecutive middle-aged obese subjects (13 women) and 20 healthy volunteers (10 women) at baseline and two years later. Digit Span Test (DST) was used as a measure of working memory/short-term verbal memory. RESULTS: Circulating LBP concentration was associated with FA and L1 values of several white matter regions both at baseline and follow-up. The associations remained significant after controlling for age, BMI, fat mass and plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Importantly, the increase in LBP over time impacted negatively on FA and L1 values and on DST performance. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating LBP associates with brain white matter integrity and working memory/short-term verbal memory in both obese and non-obese subjects.

Síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal: experiencia de 69 casos / Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: experience with 69 cases

La fetoscopia por síndrome de transfusión feto fetal es la cirugía fetal más realizada en el mundo. Los resultados deben ser reportados, para que las pacientes puedan elegir su opción de atención. Objetivo: Determinar los resultados de cirugía fetal en el síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo. Lugar: Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile. Participantes: Gestantes con gemelares. Intervenciones: La cirugía fetal se realizó con anestesia local, endoscopios Storz de 3,3 mm, específicos para fetoscopia. Principales medidas de resultados: Sobrevida fetal. Resultados: La serie de casos se inició en el año 2005, y hasta la fecha se han realizado 71 cirugías, con 69 que han resuelto su embarazo. Treinta y tres mujeres tuvieron ambos hijos vivos (48%), 25 solo un hijo vivo (36%) y 11 concluyeron sin hijos vivos (16%). Conclusiones: La tasa de embarazos con uno o ambos niños vivos fue 84%, superando 90% en los últimos 30 casos. Hubo 6 pacientes de Perú, de las cuales cuatro tuvieron ambos hijos vivos.

Fetoscopy for fetal-fetal transfusion syndrome is the most frequent fetal surgery performed in the world. The results should be reported, so that the patients can choose their choice of care. Objective: To determine the results of fetal surgery on twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile. Participants: Pregnant women with twins. Interventions: Fetal surgery was performed under local anesthesia, with 3.3mm fetoscopy-specific Storz endoscopes. Main outcome measures: Fetal survival. Results: The series of cases began in the year 2005, and to date 71 surgeries were carried out, with 69 that resolved their pregnancy. Thirty-three women had both living children (48%), 25 only one living child (36%) and 11 concluded without living children (16%). Conclusions: The rate of pregnancies with one or both children born alive was 84%, exceeding 90% in the last 30 cases. There were 6 patients from Peru, of which four had two living children.

Continuously evaluating performance in deceased donation: the Spanish quality assurance program.

The Spanish Quality Assurance Program applied to the process of donation after brain death entails an internal stage consisting of a continuous clinical chart review of deaths in critical care units (CCUs) performed by transplant coordinators and periodical external audits to selected centers. This paper describes the methodology and provides the most relevant results of this program, with information analyzed from 206,345 CCU deaths. According to the internal audit, 2.3% of hospital deaths and 12.4% of CCU deaths in Spain yield potential donors (clinical criteria consistent with brain death). Out of the potential donors, 54.6% become actual donors, 26% are lost due to medical unsuitability, 13.3% due to refusals to donation, 3.1% due to maintenance problems and 3% due to other reasons. Although the national pool of potential donors after brain death has progressively decreased from 65.2 per million population (pmp) in 2001 to 49 pmp in 2010, the number of actual donors after brain death has remained at about 30 pmp. External audits reveal that the number of actual donors could be 21.6% higher if all potential donors were identified and preventable losses avoided. We encourage other countries to develop similar comprehensive approaches to deceased donation performance.

Quantification of thrombus hounsfield units on noncontrast CT predicts stroke subtype and early recanalization after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the factors that determine recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis. We assessed the value of thrombus Hounsfield unit quantification as a predictive marker of stroke subtype and MCA recanalization after intravenous rtPA treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NCCT scans and CTA were performed on patients with MCA acute stroke within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Demographics, stroke severity, vessel hyperattenuation, occlusion site, thrombus length, and time to thrombolysis were recorded. Stroke origin was categorized as LAA, cardioembolic, or indeterminate according to TOAST criteria. Two blinded neuroradiologists calculated the Hounsfield unit values for the thrombus and contralateral MCA segment. We used ROC curves to determine the rHU cutoff point to discriminate patients with successful recanalization from those without. We assessed the accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values) of rHU in the prediction of recanalization. RESULTS: Of 87 consecutive patients, 45 received intravenous rtPA and only 15 (33.3%) patients had acute recanalization. rHU values and stroke mechanism were the highest predictive factors of recanalization. The Matthews correlation coefficient was highest for rHU (0.901). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for lack of recanalization after intravenous rtPA for rHU ≤ 1.382 were 100%, 86.67%, 93.75%, and 100%, respectively. LAA thrombi had lower rHU than cardioembolic and indeterminate stroke thrombi (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The Hounsfield unit thrombus measurement ratio can predict recanalization with intravenous rtPA and may have clinical utility for endovascular treatment decision making.

Vasa previa y corioamnionitis: imágenes de un riesgo continuo / Vasa previa and chorioamnionitis

We are presenting a case of vasa previa diagnosed at 22 week’s gestation and then she started with threatened premature labor on week 27th.In spite of attempted tocolysis, labor continued to painless fully dilatation, spontaneous rupture of membranes, umbilical cord prolapse and unexpectedvaginal delivery of a 760 g baby in good conditions. Gross placental examination was in agreement with ultrasound findings and microscopic study demonstrated chorioamnionitis and funisitis associated to vasa previa and prematurity. We consider series of facts that happened in this case as a continuous risk condition from the morbidity to the epilog like “near miss perinatal case”. We discuss the importance of chance in the resultand we think that the preventive intervention was in the medical management and not in the attention system.

Se presenta un caso clínico de vasa previa diagnosticada con ultrasonido a las 22 semanas que evolucionó con amenaza de parto prematuro en semana 27. Pese a la frenación inicial se produjodilatación completa en forma silenciosa, rotura de membranas, procidencia de cordón y parto vaginal sorpresivo de un prematuro de 760 gramos que tuvoevolución favorable. El examen macroscópico placentario fue concordante con las imágenes observadas con ultrasonido y el estudio histológico confirmó corioamnionitis y funisitis asociadas a la vasa previa y la prematurez. La interpretación de la secuencia de eventos es de un riesgo continuo desde su inicio como morbilidad y su epílogo de probable mortalidad perinatal (“near miss”).Se discute la importancia del azar en la evolución y se concluye que una intervención preventiva estuvo en el ámbito del manejo médico y no en el sistema de atención.

Acute damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule on diffusion tensor tractography as an early imaging predictor of motor outcome after stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early prediction of motor outcome is of interest in stroke management. We aimed to determine whether lesion location at DTT is predictive of motor outcome after acute stroke and whether this information improves the predictive accuracy of the clinical scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 60 consecutive patients within 12 hours of middle cerebral artery stroke onset. We used DTT to evaluate CST involvement in the motor cortex and premotor cortex, centrum semiovale, corona radiata, and PLIC and in combinations of these regions at admission, at day 3, and at day 30. Severity of limb weakness was assessed by using the motor subindex scores of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b). We calculated volumes of infarct and fractional anisotropy values in the CST of the pons. RESULTS: Acute damage to the PLIC was the best predictor associated with poor motor outcome, axonal damage, and clinical severity at admission (P < .001). There was no significant correlation between acute infarct volume and motor outcome at day 90 (P = .176, r = 0.485). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of acute CST involvement at the level of the PLIC for motor outcome at day 90 were 73.7%, 100%, 100%, and 89.1%, respectively. In the acute stage, DTT predicted motor outcome at day 90 better than the clinical scores (R(2) = 75.50, F = 80.09, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In the acute setting, DTT is promising for stroke mapping to predict motor outcome. Acute CST damage at the level of the PLIC is a significant predictor of unfavorable motor outcome.

Spinal arachnoid cyst as an infrequent cause of spinal cord compression.

Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare lesions that may produce symptoms by compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. MRI is essential for diagnosing this entity. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts, radiological examinations, and follow-up data of four adults with spinal arachnoid cysts diagnosed in our center over a two-year period (2007-2009). All cysts were located in the thoracic spine. Three were dorsolateral to the spinal cord and one was ventral. Most had multiple septa but one had a single septum. Cyst size varied greatly; one cyst extended through eight vertebral bodies. One patient treated expectantly died of cardiovascular problems one year after the cyst was diagnosed. The other three patients underwent laminectomy and cyst fenestration; two had clinical and imaging signs of relapse after surgery. One of the patients with a relapsed cyst worsened clinically, developing syringomyelia and requiring reintervention with shunting to the subarachnoid space. The outcome of the operation was good in the case of the single septum. Spinal arachnoid cyst is uncommon. Its diagnosis is complex because the symptoms are unspecific and the imaging findings are subtle. Spinal arachnoid cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic paraparesis. Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis, follow-up and management of spinal arachnoid cysts.

Resultados actualizados en el tratamiento por fetoscopía del síndrome de transfusión feto fetal en Clínica Alemana de Santiago / Results in fetoscopy-guided treatment of twin to twin transfusion syndrome in Clinica Alemana

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome diagnosed before 26 weeks has 90 percent mortality and occurs in 15 percent of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Treatment is complex as a screening program, referral, complex surgical procedure and specialized perinatal care are required. The objective is to report the recent results in fetoscopy-guided treatment of TTTS cases in Clínica Alemana. Results: 18 new cases were treated in the latest 2 years, in a series of 36 cases from 2005. Survival of one or both twins was 72.8 percent in the first 18 cases, and 77.8 percent in the latest 18 cases. The number of cases with both survivors increased from 5/18 to 7/18. Conclusions: The outcome was similar to that reported from international series. The results are better in the later cases, according to the increasing experience in our center.

Antecedentes: El Síndrome de Transfusión Feto Fetal (STFF) diagnosticado antes de las 26 semanas tiene una mortalidad de 90 por ciento y se afecta el 15 por ciento de los gemelares monocoriales. El manejo es complejo dado que requiere un proceso de diagnostico en los centros de atención, un proceso de derivación, la cirugía y el manejo perinatal especializado posterior. Objetivo: Actualizar el resultado del tratamiento por fetoscopía en Clínica Alemana de Santiago (CAS) en los casos recientemente tratados. Resultados: Desde 2005 hasta la fecha se han tratado 36 casos con sus embarazos resueltos. La sobrevida de al menos un feto fue 77,8 por ciento en los últimos 18 casos, mostrando una mejora en relación a los primeros (72,8 por ciento). El número de embarazos con ambos fetos vivos aumento de 5 a 7. Conclusiones: El resultado materno-perinatal es similar a las series internacionales y muestran una mejora progresiva en la sobrevida en la serie tratada. Los resultados favorables se mantienen a largo plazo y se consolidan en beneficio de las pacientes.

Utilidad de la ultrasonografía en el diagnóstico de la torsión anexial (TA): revisión / Usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of adnexal torsion: review

Adnexal torsion is a gynecological emergency caused by the twisting of the ovary on its pedicle, causing lymphatic and venous stasis later in the evolution ischemia and necrosis when left untreated. There is no specific clinical sign or manifestation, nor any sensitive biochemical marker available for diagnosing adnexal torsion or ischemia. The best imaging tool in the diagnosis of torsion is the gynecologic ultrasound. The purpose of this review is to gather the ultrasound signs (coiling, whirlpool, ovary size, Doppler, etc.) found to make the diagnosis of this pathology easier.

La torsión anexial es una emergencia ginecológica causada por la torsión del ovario sobre el pedículo, lo que lleva a estasia linfática y venosa, más tarde en la evolución isquemia y necrosis, cuando no es tradada. No hay signos ni manifestaciones específicas, no hay marcadores bioquímicos para el diagnóstico de torsión anexial o isquemia. La mejor herramienta, en cuanto a exámenes de imágenes, es la ecografía ginecológica. El propósito de esta revisión es recolectar los hallazgos ecográficos (enbobinado, remolino, tamaño ovárico, Doppler, etc.) encontrados en la torsión para hacer más fácil el diagnóstico de esta patología.

Tumor fibroso solitario meníngeo del surco olfatorio / No disponible

No disponible

Formación en neurorradiología / Training in Neuroradiology

No disponible

Comparative study of whole-body MRI and bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases.

AIM: To assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone scintigraphy in the detection of metastases to bone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty randomly selected patients with known malignant tumours were prospectively studied using bone scintigraphy and whole-body MRI. Two patients were excluded. Symptoms of bone metastasis were present in 29 (76%) patients and absent in nine (24%). Findings were classified into four categories according to the probability of bone metastasis: (1) negative, (2) probably negative, (3) probably positive, and (4) positive. Diagnostic accuracy was determined according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The definitive diagnosis was reached using other imaging techniques, biopsy, or 12 months clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Metastases were present in 18 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 94, 90, and 92%, respectively, for whole-body MRI and 72, 75, and 74%, respectively, for bone scintigraphy. Diagnostic accuracy measured by the area under the ROC curve was significantly higher for whole-body MRI (96%) than for bone scintigraphy (77%; p<0.05). Interobserver agreement measured by the kappa index was significantly higher for whole-body MRI (0.895) than for bone scintigraphy (0.524; p<0.05). Whole-body MRI detected lesions in tissues other than bone in 17 (45%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-body MRI is more accurate and more objective than bone scintigraphy for the detection of bone metastases. Whole-body MRI can also detect lesions in tissues other than bone.