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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2024
Magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonary infection in immunocompromised children: comparison with multidetector
H Nursun Ozcan1, Ayşegul Gormez1, Yasemin Ozsurekci2
1Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Sihhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows promise in detecting pulmonary abnormalities in immunocompromised children, with motion-corrected MRI identifying 78% of CT-detected nodules. This imaging technique offers a viable alternative for diagnosing lung infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is the standard for detecting pulmonary infections in immunocompromised children.
- Accurate imaging is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multidetector CT (MDCT) for identifying pulmonary abnormalities in immunocompromised children.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different MRI sequences in detecting various lung pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen neutropenic children underwent both non-contrast 64-detector CT and 1.5-T thoracic MRI within 24 hours.
- MRI sequences included trueFISP, fat-saturated T2-weighted turbo spin echo with motion correction (BLADE), T2-weighted HASTE, and fat-saturated T1-weighted SPGR.
- Pulmonary abnormalities such as nodules, consolidations, and pleural effusions were analyzed and compared between modalities and MRI sequences.
Main Results:
- MRI detected 81% of the 256 lesions identified by CT.
- Motion-corrected MRI visualized 78% of CT-detected nodules, with higher detection rates for smaller nodules (69% for 1-5 mm nodules on motion-corrected T2-weighted MRI).
- T2-weighted MRI sequences demonstrated superior sensitivity for nodule detection compared to HASTE sequences.
Conclusions:
- Thoracic MRI, particularly with motion-corrected T2-weighted sequences, shows promising sensitivity for detecting pulmonary abnormalities in immunocompromised children.
- MRI may serve as a valuable alternative or complementary tool to CT for evaluating lung infections in this patient group.
Background:
Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to detect pulmonary infection in immunocompromised children.
Objective:
To compare MRI and multidetector CT findings of pulmonary abnormalities in immunocompromised children.
Materials And Methods:
Seventeen neutropaenic children (6 girls; ages 2-18 years) were included. Non-contrast-enhanced CT was performed with a 64-detector CT scanner. Axial and coronal non-enhanced thoracic MRI was performed using a 1.5-T scanner within 24 h of the CT examination (true fast imaging with steady-state free precession, fat-saturated T2-weighted turbo spin echo with motion correction, T2-weighted half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo [HASTE], fat-saturated T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo). Pulmonary abnormalities (nodules, consolidations, ground glass opacities, atelectasis, pleural effusion and lymph nodes) were evaluated and compared among MRI sequences and between MRI and CT. The relationship between MRI sequences and nodule sizes was examined by chi- square test.
Results:
Of 256 CT lesions, 207 (81%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 76-85%) were detected at MRI. Of 202 CT-detected nodules, 157 (78%, 95% CI 71-83%) were seen at motion-corrected MRI. Of the 1-5-mm nodules, 69% were detected by motion-corrected T2-weighted MRI and 38% by HASTE MRI.
Conclusion:
Sensitivity of MRI (both axial fat-saturated T2-weighted turbo spin echo with variable phase encoding directions (BLADE) images and HASTE sequences) to detect pulmonary abnormalities is promising.
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