Lung and large airway imaging: magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography

Disorders of the respiratory system are common in children and imaging plays an important role for initial diagnosis and follow-up evaluation. Radiographs are typically the first-line imaging test for respiratory symptoms in children and, when advanced imaging is required, CT has been the most frequently used imaging modality. However, because of increasing concern about potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation on children, there has been a shift toward MRI in pediatric imaging. Although MRI of chest in children presents many technical challenges, recent advances in MRI technology are overcoming many of these issues, and MRI is now being used for evaluating the lung and large airway in children at centers with expertise in pediatric chest MRI. In this article we review the state of pediatric lung and large airway imaging, with an emphasis on cross-sectional modalities and the roles of MRI versus CT.