Table 3 Protocol selection for lung MRI
Sequence combination dedicated to clinical problems | Patients compliant, able to hold breath for 20 s | i.v. contrast | Alternative approach in patients unable to hold breath for 20s, e.g. children | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General question (15 min) | Thoracic mass (20 min) | Pulmonary embolism, AVM (15 min) | Mass w/ vessel invasion (25 min) | Sequence selection | Slice orientation | Slice thickness | Respiration manoeuvre | ||
X | X | X | 3D gradient echo T1-w. | Transverse | 4 mm (interpolated) | Breath-hold | no | Not available/to be developed | |
X | X | X | Fast spin echo T2-w., half Fourier | Coronal | 6-8 mm | Breath-hold | No | Triggered or non triggered acquisition in free breathing (0-5 min increase in acquisition time) | |
X | X | X | X | Steady state GRE | Coronal | 4-6 mm | Free breathing | No | No change needed |
X | X | X | Fast spin echo T2-w., rotating phase encoding | Coronal (non-fat sat.) | 4-6 mm | Breath-hold | No | Triggered acquisition in free breathing (5 min increase in acquisition time) | |
X | (X) | (X) | Fast spin echo T2-w. rotating phase encoding | Transverse (fat sat. or IR) | 4-6 mm | Breath-hold | No | Triggered acquisition in free breathing (5 min increase in acquisition time) | |
X | (X) | Diffusion weighted imaging | Multi breath-hold | No | Triggered acquisition in free breathing (5 min. increase in acquisition time) | ||||
X | X | 3D gradient echo T1-w. dynamic angio | Coronal | 5 mm | Breath-hold | Yes | Acquisition in shallow free breathing possible (no increase in acquisition time) | ||
X | X | 3D gradient echo T1-w. max. spatial res. angio | Coronal | 1.5-3 mm | Breath-hold | Yes | Not available/to be developed | ||
X | X | X | 3D gradient echo T1-w. fat saturated | Transverse | 4 mm (interpolated) | Breath-hold | Yes | Not available/to be developed | |
X | 3D gradient echo T1-w. fat saturated | Coronal | 4 mm (interpolated) | Breath-hold | Yes | Not available/to be developed | |||