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Clinical Takeaway
: Most scans had at least one abnormality, but the clinical value of detecting these abnormalities is unclear.Context
Whole-body MRI is increasingly marketed directly to consumers as a screening tool for early disease detection, but its clinical utility remains uncertain. To assess screening findings, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 17 studies involving 18,000 adults (average age, 51) who underwent whole-body MRI without an evidence-based indication. The included studies reported minimal information on patients’ baseline health characteristics.
Key Results
At least one abnormality was reported in 78% of people screened. Degenerative spinal disease and bone cysts were most common.
About 15% of individuals had a nonmalignant result deemed “clinically actionable,” most commonly hepatic steatosis, pulmonary nodules, and uterine fibroids. Of this g…