To gain knowledge about the application of 18F-FDG-PET/MRI (PET/MRI) for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) since the complexity and heterogeneity of such tumors may take advantage of the anatomical, functional, and metabolic information provided by this innovative technique.

PET/MRI, combining the high soft tissue contrast of MR, the metabolic information of PET, the functional information of DWI, and carrying the additional advantage of a lower radiation dose than PET/CT has started to provide overall very good results in oncological imaging [1-2]. Excellent results have been already obtained especially for lymphoma, gynaecological [3-5] and neuroendocrine tumors [2]. Even if several studies already showed good results regarding the application of this technique also for STS, mainly because of the intrinsic advantage carried by the MR...

According to the current literature and the experience gained in our tertiary center, we provide an overview not only about the current role of PET/MR for STS at staging and restaging but also about the challenges that still have to be faced. Staging and restaging Several studies and many case-reports evaluated the role of PET/MRI in STS patients not only at diagnosis [7-9] [Figure 1-3] but also at restaging and during the long-term follow-up [7,10]. Indeed, especially in the latter condition, the possibility to differentiate...

Optimized PET/MRI protocols, together with a deep knowledge about the advantages and the challenges associated with this technique, are expected to further improve PET/MRI applications for STS at staging and during the follow-up.

Raffaella Scotto Opipari, MD, Radiology Resident Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Padova University, Italy [email protected]

Integrated whole-body PET/MR hybrid imaging: clinical experience. Quick HH, von Gall C, Zeilinger M, et al_ Invest Radiol. 2013 May; 48(5): 280-9. Clinical application of PET/MRI in oncology. Sotoudeh H, Sharma A, Fowler KJ et al_ J Magn Reson Imaging. 2016 Aug;44(2):265-76. Diagnostic performance of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging fusion images of gynecological malignant tumors: Comparison with positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Nakajo K, Tatsumi M, Inoue A, et al, Jpn JRadiol 2010; 28:95-100. PET/MRI Evaluation of Gynecologic Malignancies and Prostate Cancer. Swapnil Bagade,...