Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging has played a role in the diagnosis of thoracic disease; however, the role has been limited compared with that of CT. In the past year, there were a few additional reports of MR imaging in the diagnosis of thoracic disease, which include a multi-institutional study comparing MR imaging with CT and histopathologic correlative studies evaluating gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging. Furthermore, several excellent reviews of MR imaging of thoracic disease were published. In general, the recent literature supports information previously reported. In the future, developments in lung parenchymal imaging and pulmonary vascular imaging are anticipated.