Pulmonary MRI: Applications and Use Cases

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has robust soft tissue characterization capability which was previously limited to evaluation of the mediastinum, cardiac, and chest wall imaging. MRI has now progressed from an experimental tool to complementary and alternate radiation free imaging modality for optimal identification and comprehensive evaluation of the lung parenchyma including structural, functional, and real-time imaging covering lung nodules/masses, infections, interstitial lung disease, airway diseases, and vascular and pleural abnormalities. Recent use of fast imaging techniques and respiratory gating has overcome several of the previously reported MRI technical difficulties such as respiratory, cardiac and diaphragmatic motion, as well as susceptibility related to air tissue interface in the lungs. MRI is a viable tool to the imaging armamentarium for the identification and characterization of pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities, providing complementary diagnostic information to computed tomography (CT), improving the non-invasive diagnostic accuracy and problem-solving for indeterminate lesions.