[MRI of the pulmonary parenchyma. Clinical value and research prospects].

MR imaging of the lung is handicapped by three negative influences. First, the low proton spin density in lung tissue results in a low signal-to-noise ratio relative to the surrounding structures. Second, cardiac and respiratory motion induce artifacts that tend to obscure fine structural detail in the lung. Third, a considerable magnetic susceptibility gradient, arising from the large surface areas of air and tissue interfaces, produces a very low value for T2*. MR imaging can be used to stage the activity of interstitial lung disease and for the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia and pulmonary infarction. In combination with MR angiography, perfusion MR imaging might eventually become a test for pulmonary embolisms.