Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pulmonary Diseases

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the chest and especially the lung is more and more accepted as a valuable additional imaging modality for several pulmonary diseases. Magnetic Resonance Imaging allows for combined morphological and functional imaging and therefore elucidates perfectly the effect of parenchymal changes and destruction onto pulmonary perfusion and ventilation. This overview presents the current status for the application of pulmonary MRI in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as infectious and neoplastic diseases.