Magnetic resonance imaging of the pediatric thorax: initial experience.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly useful in the pediatric patient. No ionizing radiation is used; there are no complicating side effects; the technique is noninvasive and painless. We reviewed our experience using a 0.15 T. resistive imager for diagnostic MRI of the pediatric thorax. We studied 16 children, aged 8 days to 16 years, with various thoracic diseases. Correlation of the MRI findings with computerized tomography (CT) was obtained in 10 children and with the surgical findings in 8. Spatial resolution was slightly less with MRI than with CT. Medium and large vessels are well seen without contrast medium injection. Tissue characterization with MRI is superior to CT and the normal thymus is well seen. The long scanning time can be a problem in young children but can be overcome using intramuscular sedation. Cardiac gated imaging was successfully tested.