Applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Thorax in Pleural Diseases: A State-of-the-Art Review

• Published in: Lung Vol. 194; no. 4; pp. 501 - 509
• Main Authors: Pessôa, Fernanda Miraldi Clemente, de Melo, Alessandro Severo Alves, Souza, Arthur Soares, de Souza, Luciana Soares, Hochhegger, Bruno, Zanetti, Gláucia, Marchiori, Edson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-08-2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Diagnosis; Empyema - diagnostic imaging; Endometriosis - diagnostic imaging; Female; Fibroma - diagnostic imaging; Foreign Bodies - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Lung diseases; Lymphoma - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mesothelioma - diagnostic imaging; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pleural diseases; Pleural Effusion - diagnostic imaging; Pleural Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Splenosis - diagnostic imaging; Thorax - diagnostic imaging; Brazil; Mesothelioma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pleural metastasis; Pleural diseases
• ISSN: 0341-2040; 1432-1750
• DOI: 10.1007/s00408-016-9909-9

The aim of this review was to present the main aspects of pleural diseases seen with conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. This modality is considered to be the gold standard for the evaluation of the pleural interface, characterization of complex pleural effusion, and identification of exudate and hemorrhage, as well as in the analysis of superior sulcus tumors, as it enables more accurate staging. The indication for MRI of the thorax in the identification of these conditions is increasing in comparison to computerized tomography, and it can also be used to support the diagnosis of pulmonary illnesses. This literature review describes the morphological and functional aspects of the main benign and malignant pleural diseases assessed with MRI, including mesothelioma, metastasis, lymphoma, fibroma, lipoma, endometriosis, asbestos-related pleural disease, empyema, textiloma, and splenosis.