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Thoracic MRI in pleural infection - a feasibility study from patients' and radiographers' perspectives
Pia Iben Pietersen1, Tobias Stæhr Jakobsen2, Stefan Markus Walbom Harders3
1Department of Radiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology, University of Southern Denmark.
Background:
Pleural infections present significant clinical challenges, particularly in elderly or immunosuppressed patients, leading to prolonged hospital stay, high morbidity and high mortality. While CT and X-ray are standard imaging modalities, MRI's potential remain unexplored due to historical limitations in scan duration and patient discomfort. Advances in MRI technology, however, may enable its broader use in thoracic imaging. The study aimed to explore the feasibility of thoracic MRI from the radiographers' and patients' perspectives.
Methods:
A prospective feasibility study was conducted involving thirteen patients with pleural infections who underwent thoracic MRI as an add-on within 48 h of the conventional contrast-enhanced chest CT. Feasibility was assessed on technical success, and scan duration. Patients and radiographers experiences were evaluated through questionnaires and qualitative comments.
Results:
Technical success was high as all thirteen patients completed the scans. The mean in-room time was 30.7±5.5 minutes and the mean scan time was 23 ± 5.4 minutes. Radiographers reported the MRI scans as feasible with few patients requiring breaks or assistance. Most patients found the MRI experience manageable though two reported difficulties with breath-hold instructions. No patients were challenged by lying in supine position and no patients felt very anxious. No significant movement- or breathing artefacts were identified on MRI.
Conclusion:
Thoracic MRI is feasible with high technical success, acceptable scan time, and good patient experience in patients with pleural infections offering potential as a radiation-free imaging modality. Furthermore, compared to CT, the use of MRI showed potential advantages in identifying pleural effusion septations.
Insights
Thoracic MRI is feasible for pleural infections, showing high success rates, acceptable scan times, and positive patient experiences. This radiation-free imaging offers potential advantages over CT in identifying pleural effusion septations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Pleural infections pose significant clinical challenges, especially in vulnerable patient groups.
- Conventional imaging like CT and X-ray are standard, but MRI's role is limited by historical constraints.
- Advancements in MRI technology present opportunities for its expanded use in thoracic imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with pleural infections.
- To evaluate thoracic MRI from both radiographers' and patients' perspectives.
- To explore MRI as a potential radiation-free alternative for thoracic imaging.
Main Methods:
- A prospective feasibility study involving 13 patients with pleural infections.
- Thoracic MRI was performed as an add-on to contrast-enhanced chest CT within 48 hours.
- Feasibility assessed via technical success, scan duration, and patient/radiographer experience questionnaires.
Main Results:
- High technical success with all 13 patients completing the MRI scans.
- Mean in-room time was 30.7 minutes; mean scan time was 23 minutes.
- Radiographers found scans feasible; most patients reported a manageable experience with no significant anxiety or discomfort.
Conclusions:
- Thoracic MRI is feasible for pleural infections, demonstrating high technical success and acceptable scan times.
- Patient experience was generally positive, indicating MRI's potential as a radiation-free imaging option.
- MRI may offer advantages over CT in visualizing pleural effusion septations.
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