From Structure to Function: Clinical Utility of Advanced Pulmonary Imaging in Infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal respiratory medicine
• Medical imaging technologies
• Pulmonary diagnostics

Background:

• Neonatal lung disease presents complex structural and functional issues often missed by standard clinical assessments.
• Chest radiography is a common neonatal intensive care unit tool, but advanced imaging offers more detailed, regional insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging imaging modalities for neonatal respiratory care.
• To highlight the principles, applications, and limitations of advanced pulmonary imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Review of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lung ultrasonography (LUS), and electrical impedance tomography (EIT).
• Focus on radiation-free, bedside, and regionally resolved assessment capabilities.

Main Results:

• LUS and EIT offer complementary bedside tools for assessing lung aeration and monitoring regional ventilation.
• MRI provides a radiation-free alternative for structural and functional imaging, aiding in disease severity assessment and outcome prediction.

Conclusions:

• Advanced imaging techniques like LUS, EIT, and MRI enhance the characterization of neonatal lung disease.
• These modalities support individualized respiratory management and treatment strategies for neonates.