MR imaging of the mediastinum: a retrospective comparison with computed tomography

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the mediastinum was performed with a 0.12 T resistive magnet and compared with the results of CT. On T1 weighted images with partial saturation technique, soft tissue masses, lymphadenopathy, lipomatosis, and vascular anatomy were comparable with MR and CT imaging in 19 of 30 patients (63.3%). In the remaining 11 patients only slight differences between the two modalities were observed. Our experience suggests that MR imaging at low field strength is equivalent to CT in the morphologic assessment of the mediastinum without the need for administration of intravenous contrast medium or exposure to ionizing radiation.