Lung MRI: Indications, Capabilities, and Techniques-AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Lung MRI provides structural and functional insights into parenchymal and airway diseases.
• Current MRI sequences offer high-quality imaging for tissue characterization, lesion delineation, and dynamic evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical indications for lung MRI.
• To describe current capabilities, protocols, and emerging techniques.
• To provide consensus recommendations for lung MRI utilization.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of clinical indications and capabilities of lung MRI.
• Description of conventional MRI sequences and protocols.
• Discussion of emerging techniques like deep-learning acceleration.

Main Results:

• Lung MRI supports tissue characterization, oncologic staging, and chronic lung disease surveillance.
• Future applications include radiation-free lung cancer screening and quantitative ventilation/perfusion assessment.
• Clinical utilization of lung MRI is low despite favorable comparisons with CT and PET/CT.

Conclusions:

• Barriers to lung MRI adoption include limited physician awareness and radiologist/technologist experience.
• Addressing these barriers is crucial for increasing the clinical utility of lung MRI.
• Standardized protocols and education can enhance the role of lung MRI in patient care.