Magnetic resonance i̇magin for detection of pulmonary nodules

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the detection of pulmonary nodules and comparison between T2 Weighted (W) Balanced Steady State Free Precession (True-FISP) and contrast enhanced T1W 3D Volumetric Interpolated Breathhold Examination (VIBE) sequences. Methods and Materials: Ninety patients with 300 pulmonary nodules (211 nodules were <6 mm; 89 nodules were >6 mm ) diagnosed by Computed Tomography (CT) underwent whole body MRI at 1.5 T scanner. CT and MRI data were analyzed by two radiologists. The sensitivity and false pozitive rate was calculated for detection of pulmonary nodules for each MRI sequence and overall MRI. In addition, subgroup analysis was done as <6 mm, >6 mm. Results: The overall sensitivity of MRI for the detection of pulmonary nodules was 35,33% and according to nodule size: 21.80% for nodules <6mm; 67,41% for nodules ≥6 mm. MRI sequences yielded following sensitivities according to nodul size: 12,79% for T2W True-FISP, 21,80% for T1A 3D VIBE for nodules <6 mm; 44,94% for T2A TrueFISP, 67,41% for T1A 3D VIBE for nodules ≥6 mm. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in nodules greater than 6 mm is increasing. Contrast enhanced T1A 3D VIBE sequence shows higher sensitivity than T2A True-FISP sequence. Using contrast to whole body MRI protocol may increase the rate of pulmonary nodule detection. Keywords: Pulmonary nodule, Lung MRI, MRI sequences