Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Optimized Lung MRI Protocol with Computationally Efficient Reconstruction Methods
Published on: September 6, 2024
Clinical application of ultrashort echo-time MRI for lung pathologies in children
J Geiger1, K G Zeimpekis2, A Jung3
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; University of Zürich, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered to be challenging, because the low proton density of the tissue, fast signal decay, and respiratory artefacts hamper adequate image quality. MRI of the lungs and thorax is increasingly used in the paediatric population, because it is a radiation-free alternative to chest CT. Recently, ultrashort echo-time (UTE) sequences have been introduced into clinical MRI protocols, in order to improve the contrast-to-noise ratio due to reduced susceptibility artefacts and to depict structural alterations comparable to CT. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of various clinical conditions and pathologies in the paediatric chest depicted by an UTE sequence, the so-called three-dimensional (3D) Cones sequence, in comparison with conventional MRI sequences. Besides describing typical features of cystic fibrosis, we present UTE application in other more or less common paediatric lung pathologies, for instance, interstitial pneumopathies, pulmonary infections, and congenital pulmonary malformations.
Insights
Ultrashort echo-time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves lung imaging quality in children, offering a radiation-free alternative. This technique enhances visualization of paediatric lung pathologies compared to conventional MRI.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Lung MRI presents challenges due to low proton density, rapid signal decay, and respiratory motion artifacts, impacting image quality.
- MRI is a valuable radiation-free imaging modality for pediatric chest evaluation, serving as an alternative to CT scans.
- Conventional MRI sequences often struggle to provide adequate image quality for detailed lung structure assessment in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical applications of ultrashort echo-time (UTE) sequences, specifically the 3D Cones sequence, for pediatric chest pathologies.
- To compare the diagnostic capabilities of UTE sequences with conventional MRI sequences in evaluating various lung conditions in children.
- To highlight the advantages of UTE MRI in overcoming limitations of traditional lung imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical conditions and pathologies in the pediatric chest imaged using the 3D Cones UTE sequence.
- Comparison of image quality and diagnostic information obtained from UTE sequences versus conventional MRI sequences.
- Focus on specific pediatric lung diseases including cystic fibrosis, interstitial pneumopathies, pulmonary infections, and congenital malformations.
Main Results:
- Ultrashort echo-time (UTE) sequences, particularly 3D Cones, demonstrate improved contrast-to-noise ratio and reduced susceptibility artifacts in lung imaging.
- UTE MRI enables depiction of structural alterations in pediatric lungs with quality comparable to CT scans.
- The review details the utility of UTE sequences in visualizing characteristic features of cystic fibrosis and other diverse pediatric lung pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Ultrashort echo-time (UTE) MRI, exemplified by the 3D Cones sequence, significantly enhances image quality for pediatric lung imaging.
- UTE MRI offers a promising radiation-free alternative for diagnosing a wide spectrum of pediatric chest conditions, including cystic fibrosis and congenital malformations.
- This advanced MRI technique provides valuable diagnostic insights, comparable to CT, for challenging lung pathologies in the pediatric population.
