Lung magnetic resonance imaging for pneumonia in children

Abstract

Technical factors have historically limited the role of MRI in the evaluation of pneumonia in children in routine clinical practice. As imaging technology has advanced, recent studies utilizing practical MR imaging protocols have shown MRI to be an accurate potential alternative to CT for the evaluation of pneumonia and its complications. This article provides up-to-date MR imaging techniques that can be implemented in most radiology departments to evaluate pneumonia in children. Imaging findings in pneumonia on MRI are also reviewed. In addition, the current literature describing the diagnostic performance of MRI for pneumonia is discussed. Furthermore, potential risks and limitations of MRI for the evaluation of pneumonia in children are described.

The current status and further prospects for lung magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology

“…Assuming an adequate examination technique, MRI diagnostics is on a par with CT for these diseases. This includes all lung diseases with alveolar exudation and infiltration by infections [24,25], tissue proliferation such as tumors or metastases [22], malformations such as sequesters [26] and of course cystic fibrosis, which is particularly important in pediatric pulmonology [27].…”

Pediatric Chest Disorders: Practical Imaging Approach to Diagnosis

“…As such, MRI is of limited utility in the evaluation of lung parenchymal pathologies which result in an increase of air, the so-called negative pathologies, such as cystic lung disease or emphysema. However, recent development of improved MRI sequences has increased utilization of MRI for evaluation of the so-called plus pathologies which result in the deposition of material within the lung parenchyma [7,8]. Because of this additive process, a larger number of photons are present within the lung parenchyma thereby increasing the magnitude of the MR signal generated.…”

MRI evaluation of pulmonary lesions and lung tissue changes induced by tuberculosis

“…X-ray computed tomography (CT), regarded as the standard method for characterizing lung lesions, has increasingly been used for the diagnosis of TB and its complications (Muller, 2002), offering three-dimensional and high resolution imaging for the detection and quantification of lesions. However, alternative imaging methods without ionizing radiation have been sought in recent years, largely due to concerns about the effect of ionizing radiation for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and patients requiring repeated and frequent follow-up (Liszewski et al, 2017;Rizzi et al, 2011).…”

“…Thus, the quality of lung imaging and the sensitivity of lesion detection are increased even without the patient holding their breath. Although this technique has been demonstrated in the evaluation of several lung diseases (Attenberger et al, 2014;Chung et al, 2013Chung et al, , 2016Dewes et al, 2016;Ekinci et al, 2017;Liszewski et al, 2017;Nagel et al, 2016;Ozcan et al, 2017;Puderbach et al, 2007), its application in the evaluation of pulmonary TB by MRI has not been explored.…”