Thorax MRI

MRI of the thorax for evaluating mediastinal masses, chest wall pathology, and cardiac-adjacent structures without radiation or iodinated contrast.

The thorax MRI provides cross-sectional imaging of the chest cavity including the mediastinum, chest wall musculature, pleura, and visible portions of the lung parenchyma. While CT remains the primary modality for lung parenchymal assessment, thorax MRI excels at evaluating mediastinal masses, chest wall tumours, pleural disease, and pathology adjacent to the heart and great vessels. The protocol includes axial and coronal T1 and T2-weighted sequences with respiratory gating or breath-hold techniques to minimize motion artefact. STIR sequences highlight oedema and inflammation in the chest wall and mediastinal soft tissues. The radiologist assesses for mediastinal lymphadenopathy, thymic pathology, chest wall masses, pleural effusions and thickening, and brachial plexus abnormalities. This examination is particularly useful for patients who cannot receive iodinated CT contrast (allergy or renal impairment), for characterizing mediastinal masses already identified on chest X-ray or CT, and for evaluating chest wall invasion by peripheral tumours. The radiation-free nature makes it suitable for younger patients or those requiring serial imaging.