NEW research presented at ESR 2025 highlighted significant advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing pulmonary and mediastinal diseases in infants and children. Traditionally reliant on computed tomography (CT), which involves ionizing radiation, paediatric thoracic imaging is poised for transformation with these new MRI techniques that offer detailed imaging without radiation risks.
Pulmonary and mediastinal diseases in children often present with nonspecific symptoms, making accurate diagnosis challenging. While CT scans provide detailed imaging, their radiation risks are a major concern, especially for repeated exposures. The latest advancements in MRI showcased at ESR 2025 present a safer alternative with superior soft-tissue contrast and functional insights.
MRI has historically faced challenges due to the low proton density of lung parenchyma and motion artifacts caused by cardiac and respiratory movements. However, new techniques, such as optimized thoracic coils, respiratory gating, and advanced imaging sequences like PROPELLER, have significantly improved image clarity and diagnostic reliability. For older children, breath-holding techniques enhance image quality, while younger patients benefit from free-breathing methods and the “feed and wrap” approach to minimise motion during scans.
The absence of ionizing radiation makes MRI particularly valuable for children requiring multiple follow-up scans, ensuring safer long-term monitoring of thoracic diseases. While MRI’s longer scan times remain a limitation, ongoing advancements are steadily reducing these durations, making MRI a more practical alternative to CT.
These findings showcase MRI’s growing potential to become a standard tool for paediatric thoracic imaging, balancing diagnostic accuracy with the need to minimise radiation exposure for young patients.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Avci ER et al. Pediatric Lung MRI: a radiation-free alternative for thoracic imaging. Poster: C-12516. ESR Annual Meeting, 26 February -2nd March 2025.
