New insights on COPD imaging via CT and MRI

N Sverzellati¹, F Molinari², T Pirronti², L Bonomo², P Spagnolo³, M Zompatori¹

¹Institute of Radiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Parma, Italy; ²Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy; ³Clinical Genomics Group, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College of Science, London, UK

Abstract: Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can be used to quantify morphological features and investigate structure/function relationship in COPD. This approach allows a phenotypical definition of COPD patients, and might improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and suggest new therapeutical options. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has also become potentially suitable for the assessment of ventilation, perfusion and respiratory mechanics. This review focuses on the established clinical applications of CT, and novel CT and MRI techniques, which may prove valuable in evaluating the structural and functional damage in COPD.

Keywords: emphysema, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, airways, functional imaging