Full Body MRI
Assessment Stage: Advanced Investigation
Included in Future Health Assessment: No – Recommended where clinically appropriate
Partner: OneMRI
Provider: OneMRI (performed through Lumus Imaging)
Approximate Cost: $2,750 (Future Health preferred price, RRP $2,999)
What is it?
A Full Body MRI is a comprehensive, radiation-free imaging assessment that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the body for significant structural abnormalities before symptoms develop.
Unlike individual scans that focus on one body part, OneMRI provides a systematic assessment of multiple organs and body systems during a single examination.
The scan is designed to identify clinically significant abnormalities that may benefit from earlier investigation, surveillance or treatment.
What does it assess?
-
Brain tumours
Silent strokes
White matter disease
Structural abnormalities
Hydrocephalus
Pituitary abnormalities
-
Major soft tissue abnormalities
Salivary glands
Thyroid enlargement
Neck masses
-
Cervical spine
Thoracic spine
Lumbar spine
Disc degeneration
Spinal canal narrowing
Vertebral abnormalities
-
Heart size
Mediastinal structures
Pleural abnormalities
Chest wall abnormalities
-
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas
Spleen
Kidneys
Adrenal glands
-
Bladder
Prostate (men)
Uterus (women)
Ovaries (women)
Pelvic organs
-
Major muscles
Bones
Bone marrow
Soft tissue masses
-
May identify selected:
Aortic aneurysms
Major vascular abnormalities
What conditions may it detect?
Examples include:
Brain tumours
Kidney cancer
Liver tumours
Pancreatic masses
Adrenal tumours
Renal cysts
Polycystic kidney disease
Benign tumours
Selected early cancers
Silent stroke
Degenerative spinal disease
Vertebral compression fractures
Osteonecrosis
Bone tumours
Aortic aneurysm
Significant abdominal abnormalities
Pelvic masses
Many findings are benign but may still warrant follow-up.
Why is it important?
Many serious diseases develop silently over many years.
Full Body MRI may identify structural abnormalities before symptoms develop, allowing earlier investigation where appropriate.
It is particularly attractive because it achieves this without exposing patients to ionising radiation.
Who may benefit?
May be appropriate for:
Adults seeking comprehensive preventive screening
Strong family history of cancer
Strong family history of aneurysm
Patients with significant health anxiety after counselling
Individuals wanting the most comprehensive structural assessment available
Patients undertaking advanced preventive health assessment
What happens during the scan?
The examination takes approximately 60–75 minutes.
You lie comfortably within the MRI scanner while images are obtained from head to pelvis.
No injections are usually required.
Preparation
Remove all metal objects.
MRI cannot be performed with some implanted medical devices.
Inform staff of pacemakers, aneurysm clips or metallic implants.
Some claustrophobic patients may require sedation.
Advantages
No ionising radiation
Comprehensive assessment
Excellent soft tissue imaging
Detects many abnormalities before symptoms develop
Single examination
Limitations
Not a substitute for evidence-based cancer screening programmes.
Incidental findings are common.
Some abnormalities require additional investigations despite ultimately proving benign.
Does not detect every cancer or disease.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Future Health recommends Full Body MRI selectively after consideration of:
Personal risk
Family history
Existing investigations
Patient preferences
It complements—not replaces—routine screening, blood testing and physical assessment.
Future Health Summary
Full Body MRI provides one of the most comprehensive structural assessments currently available. When combined with clinical assessment, blood biomarkers and lifestyle evaluation, it can provide valuable additional information for individuals seeking a proactive approach to long-term health.