MAGNETIC-RESONANCE (MR) IMAGING OF THE CHEST - STATE-OF-THE-ART

To date, magnetic resonance (MR) is established as an imaging modality in the diagnosis of chest diseases. Because of its excellent distinct ion of vessels and soft tissue, MR can be performed as the primary ima ging procedure before computed tomography in patients with suspected v ascular lesions, mediastinal masses, hilar lesions, and pathological c hanges of the pleura and the chest wall. In these cases, MR is able to provide all the necessary diagnostic information. In of her patients, a limited number of MR images may be helpful in eases of equivocal or confusing CT or clinical findings. More detailed information can be o btained, using surface coils or special imaging sequences, i.e. high r esolution MR images of the pleura or angiographic images of mediastina l and pulmonary vasculature. From a clinical viewpoint, the most impor tant task for thoracic magnetic resonance nowadays is the pretherapeut ic evaluation of intrathoracic masses, the differential diagnosis of b eni,an versus malignant lesions, and the accurate documentation of tum our extent in malignancies including three-dimensional-display to impr ove surgical or radiation planning. Future directions in thoracic magn etic resonance will be predominantly influenced by postprocessing appr oaches, specialized imaging techniques, and magnetic resonance-guided interventional applications.