Proton MRI appearance of cystic fibrosis: comparison to CT.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent inherited disorder leading to premature death in the Caucasian population. As life expectancy is limited by pulmonary complications, repeated imaging [chest X-ray, multislice high-resolution computed tomography (MS-HRCT)] is required in the follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung parenchyma is a promising new diagnostic tool. Its value for imaging lung changes caused by CF compared with CT is demonstrated. MRI performs well when compared with CT, which serves as the gold standard. Its lack in spatial resolution is obvious, but advantages in contrast and functional assessment compensate for this limitation. Thus, MRI is a reasonable alternative for imaging the CF lung and should be introduced as a radiation-free modality for follow-up studies in CF patients. For further evaluation of the impact of MRI, systematic studies comparing MRI and conventional imaging modalities are necessary. Furthermore, the value of the additional functional MRI (fMRI) information has to be studied, and a scoring system for the morphological and functional aspect of MRI has to be established.
Puderbach
Michael
M
Department of Radiology (E010), DKFZ, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. m.puderbach@dkfz.de
Eichinger
Monika
M
Gahr
Julie
J
Ley
Sebastian
S
Tuengerthal
Siegfried
S
Schmähl
Astrid
A
Fink
Christian
C
Plathow
Christian
C
Wiebel
Matthias
M
Müller
Frank-Michael
FM
Kauczor
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001995:Bronchography; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed