MR imaging of the chest: A practical approach at 1.5T

Puderbach, M.; Hintze, C.; Ley, S.; Eichinger, M.; Kauczor, H.-U.; Biederer, J.

doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2007.08.009

« Previous Next »European Journal of Radiology
Volume 64, Issue 3 , Pages 345-355, December 2007

MR imaging of the chest: A practical approach at 1.5T

M. Puderbach
- DKFZ, Department of Radiology (E010), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 6221 422525; fax: +49 6221 422531.
C. Hintze
- DKFZ, Department of Radiology (E010), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
S. Ley
- DKFZ, Department of Radiology (E010), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- University Heidelberg, Department of Pediatric Radiology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 153, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
M. Eichinger
- DKFZ, Department of Radiology (E010), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
H.-U. Kauczor
- DKFZ, Department of Radiology (E010), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
J. Biederer
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 9, 24105 Kiel, Germany

Received 30 July 2007; received in revised form 31 July 2007; accepted 1 August 2007.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of imaging infiltrative lung diseases as well as solid lung pathologies with high sensitivity.

The broad use of lung MRI was limited by the long study time as well as its sensitivity to motion and susceptibility artifacts. These disadvantages were overcome by the utilisation of new techniques such as parallel imaging. This article aims to propose a standard MR imaging protocol at 1.5T and presents a spectrum of indications.

The standard protocol comprises non-contrast-enhanced sequences. Following a GRE localizer (2D-FLASH), a coronal T2w single-shot half-Fourier TSE (HASTE) sequence with a high sensitivity for infiltrates and a transversal T1w 3D-GRE (VIBE) sequence with a high sensitivity for small lesions are acquired in a single breath hold. Afterwards, a coronal steady-state free precession sequence (TrueFISP) in free breathing is obtained. This sequence has a high sensitivity for central pulmonary embolism. Distinct cardiac dysfunctions as well as an impairment of the breathing mechanism are visible. The last step of the basic protocol is a transversal T2w-STIR (T2-TIRM) in a multi-breath holds technique to visualize enlarged lymph nodes as well as skeletal lesions. The in-room time is approximately 15min.

The extended protocol comprises contrast-enhanced sequences (3D-GRE sequence (VIBE) after contrast media; about five additional minutes). Indications are tumorous lesions, unclear (malignant) pleural effusions and inflammatory diseases (vaskulitis). A perfusion analysis can be achieved using a 3D-GRE in shared echo-technique (TREAT) with a high temporal resolution. This protocol can be completed using a MR-angiography (3D-FLASH) with high spatial resolution. The in-room time for the complete protocol is approximately 30min.

Keywords: MRI, Chest, Lung, Morphology, Function