To provide, according to the literature and the experienced gained in our tertiary center, acomprehensive overview of the main pediatric oncological applications of18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/MR(18F-FDG-PET/MR), considering protocols’ optimization.

Various tumors can affect children and diagnostic imaging plays a significant role at staging as well as during follow-up. In particular, lymphoma is one of the most common type of cancer affecting the pediatric population and specific types of sarcoma (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma) affect children [13]. Regarding lymphoma, to date, according to the European guidelines, a whole-body computed tomography (CT) scan is mandatory at staging. Furthermore, the assessment of the metabolic activity of the disease by Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/CT is recommended[1,3]....

Indications 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/MR (18F-FDG-PET/MR) imaging is mainly applied for pediatric lymphomas [8,15,19] and sarcomas [14] at staging, restaging, and during long-term follow-ups [9].Indeed, it allows an accurate assessment of the primary tumor and of eventual distant metastases in sarcomas (Fig. 1)as well asa precise investigation of all nodal and extra-nodal sites in patients with lymphomas (Fig. 2). Regarding this latter disease,18F-FDG-PET/MRis highly valuable in monitoring the response to treatment, especially when pathological tissue is still detectable on morphological images and its viability has to be assessed[10]....

A profound knowledge not only of thepediatric tumors especially benefitting of 18F-FDG-PET/MR imaging but also of the most appropriate protocols is necessary to further promote its use, thus turning it into the reference method for pediatric oncological imaging.

G. Fichera; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose G. Cherobin; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose R. Scotto Opipari; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose P. Zucchetta; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose R. Stramare; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose D. Cecchin; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose C. Giraudo; Padua/IT - nothing to disclose

[1] Recommendations for initial evaluation, staging, and response assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Lugano classification.Cheson D., Fisher R.I., Barrington S.F., et al_J Clin Oncol, 32 (2014), pp. 3059-3068. [2] Role of imaging in the staging and response assessment of lymphoma: consensus of the International Conference on Malignant Lymphomas Imaging Working Group. Barrington S.F., Mikhaeel N.G., Kostakoglu L., et al._J Clin Oncol, , 32 (2014), pp. 3048-3058. [3]Hodgkin lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up on behalf of the ESMO Guidelines...