Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: A 3D Digital Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: May 19, 2023
Detecting small pulmonary nodules with spiral ultrashort echo time sequences in 1.5 T MRI
Yu-Sen Huang1,2, Emi Niisato3, Mao-Yuan Marine Su1,2
1Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
Objective:
This study investigated ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences in 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for small lung nodule detection.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 120 patients with 165 small lung nodules before video-associated thoracoscopic resection were enrolled. MRI sequences included conventional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE, scan time 16 s), spiral UTE (TE 0.05 ms) with free-breathing (scan time 3.5-5 min), and breath-hold sequences (scan time 20 s). Chest CT provided a standard reference for nodule size and morphology. Nodule detection sensitivity was evaluated on a lobe-by-lobe basis.
Results:
The nodule detection rate was significantly higher in spiral UTE free-breathing (> 78%, p < 0.05) and breath-hold sequences (> 75%, p < 0.05) compared with conventional VIBE (> 55%), reaching 100% when nodule size was > 16 mm, and reaching 95% when nodules were in solid morphology, regardless of size. The inter-sequence reliability between free-breathing and breath-hold spiral UTE was good (κ > 0.80). Inter-reader agreement was also high (κ > 0.77) for spiral UTE sequences. Nodule size measurements were consistent between CT and spiral UTE MRI, with a minimal bias up to 0.2 mm.
Discussion:
Spiral UTE sequences detect small lung nodules that warrant surgery, offers realistic scan times for clinical work, and could be implemented as part of routine lung MRI.
More Related Videos
05:07Author Spotlight: Optimized Lung MRI Protocol with Computationally Efficient Reconstruction Methods
Published on: September 6, 2024
07:53Author Spotlight: Advancing 3D Modeling for Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules in Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Published on: October 13, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...