Thoracic MR

General

  • There is one basic protocol that is applicable to the majority of cases
  • Indications
    • Mediastinal mass characterization (vast majority)
    • Nodule follow-up (mainly large nodules suspected to be hamartomas)
  • Any indication other than mediastinal mass should be investigated
  • There are a number of additional sequences that can be helpful in varying situations
  • Below is a basic overview of some of the sequences and what they can be used for
    • True FISP 3 plane: Anatomic overview but not tissue characterization
    • HASTE: Characterization of T2 signal
    • Axial in and out of phase: Identify microscopic fat
      • Predominantly used in differentiation of normal thymus/thymic hyperplasia from thymic neoplasms
    • Diffusion
    • VIBE pre-contrast: Intrinsic T1 characterization and allows subtraction with post-contrast images
    • VIBE post-contrast: Contrast enhancement; Usually acquired at 1 and 3 minutes
    • Subtraction VIBE