[Relevance of magnetic resonance imaging for the staging and follow up of lymph node pathologies in adults with primary malignant lymphomas].

Lymph node histology and staging with cross sectional imaging remains basis for the treatment planning in primary malignant lymphoma. Contrast enhanced computed tomography is considered to be gold standard. However, MRI is equally able to provide staging and follow up in the same quality as helical CT, as several studies and clinical experience show. MRI is considered as the superior imaging modality for extranodal lymphoma. Advantages of MRI are that it works without ionizing radiation and contrast media;however, MRI is more expensive and time consuming. However, both imaging modalities are limited by the fact that the differentiation of affected and non affected lymph nodes is based on size only. Also the results of recent clinical studies with USPIOs (SINEREM((R):)) for intravenous MR lymphography in primary malignant lymphoma do not look promising. Despite these disadvantages of MRI, for young patients with malignant lymphoma radiation protection should be taken into account because of frequent imaging in staging and follow up.