Lung Morphology Assessment with Balanced Steady-State Free Precession MR Imaging Compared with CT

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Abstract
The study demonstrates that there is a potential role for the balanced steadystate free precession sequence as an alternative radiation-free noncontrast imaging modality. PurposeTo evaluate the utility of 1.5-T noncontrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lung parenchyma and to compare it with computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of interstitial lung disease and other morphologic lung abnormalities.Materials and MethodsInstitutional review board approval was obtained for retrospective image analysis. A total of 236 patients who underwent MR imaging and CT as part of their assessment for suspected pulmonary hypertension were included in this study. Lung MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-T system as a stack of axial two-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) acquisitions. Two radiologists independently evaluated CT and MR images for various morphologic abnormalities, such as pulmonary fibrosis, pleural and mediastinal disease, solid lesions, bronchial disease, and emphysema. Κ statistics were used to measure interobserver agreement.ResultsSensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in the identification of pulmonary fibrosis (n = 46) were 89% (...

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