Purpose
To understand if half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) MRI is not inferior tochest X-ray (CXR) in recognizing typical patterns that may be found in CXR.
Methods and Materials
A total of 480 patients with a median age of 49 years (interquartile range,
IQR 25–65) were enrolled on the basis of the presence of a chest MRI in which an axial HASTE sequence was performed,
and a frontal CXR executed no more than seven days before or after the previously mentioned MRI (median interval of 1 day,
IQR 1–3).
Images analysis was performed by a radiologist,
who also had access to medical reports.
All round or ovoid lesions within the lung parenchyma were considered...
Results
The sensitivity of MRI compared to CXR were: 100% (7/7,
CI 59%–100%) for nodules with a substantial agreement (k=0.774,
p<0.001); 98% (58/59,
CI 91%–100%) for effusion with a substantial agreement (k=0.773,
p<0.001); 95% (35/37,
CI 82%–99%) for infiltrates with an almost perfect agreement (k=0.840,
p<0.001); 90% (72/80,
CI 81%–96%) for cardiac enlargements with an almost perfect agreement (k=0.866,
p< 0.001); and 100% (14/14,
CI 77%–100%) for aortic enlargements with a substantial agreement (k=0.663,
p<0.001).
The overall sensitivity of MRI compared to CXR was 94% (186/197,...
Conclusion
Our results indicate that the diagnostic accuracy of HASTE MRI is superior to CXR,
suggesting the possibility to develop an alternative pathway to diagnosis which does not use ionizing radiations,
especially useful for those who need frequent check-up,
young children and pregnant women.