Main description:

During the past decade significant developments have been achieved in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enabling MRI to enter the clinical arena of chest imaging. Standard protocols can now be implemented on up-to-date scanners, allowing MRI to be used as a first-line imaging modality for various lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and even lung cancer. The diagnostic benefits stem from the ability of MRI to visualize changes in lung structure while simultaneously imaging different aspects of lung function, such as perfusion, respiratory motion, ventilation and gas exchange. On this basis, novel quantitative surrogates for lung function can be obtained. This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to use MRI for imaging of lung disease. Special emphasis is placed on benign diseases requiring regular monitoring, given that it is patients with these diseases who derive the greatest benefit from the avoidance of ionizing radiation.

Contents:

Technical: General Requirements of MRI of the Lung and Suggested Standard Protocol.- MR Angiography of the Pulmonary Vasculature.- MR Perfusion of the Lung .- MRI of Pulmonary Ventilation.- Helium-MRI.- Xenon-MRI.- Fluorine-MRI.- Proton MRI (Oxygen and Alternative Approaches).- MRI of Pulmonary Motion and Respiratory Mechanics, incl. MR Spirometry.- Clinical: Pulmonary Hypertension and Thromboembolic Disease.- Vascular Anomalies and Diseases.- Asthma.- COPD.- Cystic Fibrosis.- Lung Cancer.- Mediastinal Disease.- Pulmonary Infections -- Pneumonia.- Interstitial Lung Disease.- Diseases of Pleura and Chest Wall.- Subject Index.- List of Contributors.