Hinsen M, Nagel AM, Bayerl N, Fautz HP, Benkert T, May M, Uder M, Heiß R (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Book Volume: 11
Article Number: 132
Journal Issue: 12
DOI: 10.3390/tomography11120132
Background: This study aims to evaluate the detection rate of modern low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with single-breath-hold ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequences for detection of lung nodules and to subsequently correlate nodule size with the measurements obtained by computed tomography (CT). Methods: From January to April 2021, a prospective clinical trial at a single academic center evaluated ultra-fast low-field MRI (0.55 Tesla) for detecting pulmonary nodules. Patients with known nodules underwent MRI and CT on the same day. The primary aim was to assess nodule detection with UTE sequences, with secondary analysis focused on mean nodule diameter correlation with CT. Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation, and Bland–Altman analysis were applied to the data. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 30 patients (mean age, 59 years ± 13 [standard deviation], 17 female and 13 male) were enrolled. In a blinded MRI and CT imaging analysis, 21.6% (176/814) of lung nodules were correctly identified on MRI. The detection rate was 91.2% (52/57) for lung nodules with a mean diameter of ≥6–<8 mm and 100% for those ≥8 mm (31/31). Pulmonary nodules < 4 mm were detected in 4.3% (24/562) and nodules of ≥4–<6 mm were detected in 42.1% (69/164). The mean difference in size measurements between MRI and CT was 0.43 ± 1.1 mm, with Spearman’s correlation coefficient of r = 0.85 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Modern ultra-fast low-field MRI with UTE sequences is capable of detecting pulmonary nodules (≥6 mm) and demonstrates a strong correlation with CT in measuring nodule size. However, it was not effective in detecting nodules smaller than 4 mm, suggesting that MRI-based nodule detection methods require further optimization before clinical implementation.
APA:
Hinsen, M., Nagel, A.M., Bayerl, N., Fautz, H.P., Benkert, T., May, M.,... Heiß, R. (2025). Accuracy of Ultra-Fast Low-Field MRI (0.55 T) for Lung Nodule Detection with Ultra-Short Echo Time Sequences. Tomography, 11(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography11120132
MLA:
Hinsen, Maximilian, et al. "Accuracy of Ultra-Fast Low-Field MRI (0.55 T) for Lung Nodule Detection with Ultra-Short Echo Time Sequences." Tomography 11.12 (2025).
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