Morphological and functional imaging in COPD with CT and MRI: present and future.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health concern, characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction.
• COPD is a complex, heterogeneous condition affecting airways, lung parenchyma, and vasculature.
• Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of COPD require integrated imaging approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of advanced imaging techniques in diagnosing and managing COPD.
• To highlight the complementary strengths of CT and MRI in COPD assessment.
• To discuss how imaging aids in phenotype-driven characterization and therapy monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing three-dimensional high-resolution computed tomography (3D-HRCT) for detailed morphological imaging of lung parenchyma and airways.
• Employing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to obtain functional information on perfusion, lung mechanics, and ventilation.
• Integrating morphological and functional imaging data for a comprehensive COPD evaluation.

Main Results:

• 3D-HRCT provides superior morphological detail of lung structures in COPD.
• MRI offers crucial functional insights into ventilation, perfusion, and mechanics.
• Combined CT and MRI enable a more sensitive detection and characterization of COPD phenotypes.

Conclusions:

• A combined CT and MRI approach offers comprehensive diagnostic capabilities for COPD.
• Integrated imaging facilitates precise phenotype-driven characterization of COPD.
• This approach supports tailored therapy monitoring and improved patient management for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.