Lung MRI in the Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Kurzzusammenfassung

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) plays a major role in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by identifying characteristic lesions of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Though HRCT is the standard reference to describe pulmonary structural alterations using a non invasive technique, it is nonetheless a radiating exam which provides limited functional information regarding inflammation. In this trial, the investigators aimed to evaluate whether MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) using ultra-short echotime could be an alternative to HRCT in the assessment of the four morphological criteria required to define an UIP pattern. The investigators also planned to study the clinical value of the additional informations derived from MRI such as contrasts and lung perfusion using functional MRI.