MRI based volumetric lung nodule assessment - a comparison to computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Nodule volumetry, including volume doubling time, offers superior discrimination between benign and malignant lung lesions compared to 2D imaging.
• Accurate lung nodule assessment is crucial for effective lung cancer screening and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based volumetric assessment for lung nodules larger than 6 mm.
• To compare MRI-based volumetry against computed tomography (CT), the current gold standard.

Main Methods:

• Subgroup analysis of 23 participants with 47 pulmonary nodules from a lung cancer screening program.
• Volumetric assessment using a 1.5 Tesla MRI and low-dose CT (LDCT) with a computer-aided diagnosis system.
• Statistical analysis including regression and Bland-Altman analysis to assess correlation and reproducibility.

Main Results:

• MRI-based nodule volumetry showed a strong linear relationship with LDCT (r² = 0.981, p < 0.001) with no significant systematic bias.
• Mean nodule volumes were comparable between MRI (1.1343 ± 3.1204 cm³) and LDCT (1.2197 ± 3.496 cm³).
• Good intra-reader (ICC = 0.7737) and moderate inter-reader (ICC = 0.7135) reproducibility were observed for MRI volumetry.

Conclusions:

• In-vivo MRI-based volumetry is a feasible and accurate method for assessing lung nodules ≥6 mm.
• MRI volumetry demonstrates comparable precision and minimal bias to CT, suggesting its potential as a radiation-free alternative.
• This technique holds promise for lung nodule follow-up and screening, reducing radiation exposure.