Contrast-enhanced Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MR of the chest to evaluate for metastatic nodules in pediatric patients with malignancy undergoing abdomen MR staging and surveillance: a high-value alternative or adjunct to CT

Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MRI of the chest can be optimized for detection of metastatic lung nodules. In pediatric patients with a history of abdominal malignancies undergoing routine re-staging contrast-enhanced MRI exams, clinically significant metastatic lung nodules are detectable which, if diagnosed, could obviate or decrease the frequency of subsequent separate CT scans of the chest. Though cost of a chest CT is lower than an MRI, it is substantially more than the incremental cost of adding an additional sequence during already-scheduled MR Abdomen exams. Additionally, ionizing radiation is avoided, alleviating concerns about cumulative exposure following multiple serial follow-up examinations.