Commentary

Abstract

Evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules poses a great challenge to both radiologists and oncologists. Chest computed tomography along with PET is considered the standard technique for nodule assessment. Although the clinical role of magnetic resonance imaging for pulmonary nodule remains limited, considerable advancement has occurred in MRI of thoracic diseases especially after the advent of newer techniques. MRI can be used to differentiate benign versus malignant, based on tumor vascularity, interstitium and vascular endothelial growth factor expression that can be used for predicting survival outcome and treatment response. Abstracts from three articles from recent issues of American journal of Roengenology, all highlighting the various techniques of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used for detection and characterizing pulmonary nodules are included here.