Asthma MRI

Asthma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Asthma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies Pulmonary Function Test Bronchial Challenge Test Exhaled nitric oxide
Treatment
Emergency Management
Medical Therapy
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Bronchial Thermoplasty
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Asthma MRI On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Asthma MRI All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Asthma MRI
CDC on Asthma MRI
Asthma MRI in the news
Blogs on Asthma MRI
Directions to Hospitals Treating Asthma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Asthma MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S. [2]

MRI

Functional MRIs help to measure the actual lung ventilation and localize the precise pathological area involved during an acute asthmatic attack. The use of special paramagnetic gases enhance the low signal-to-noise ratio of conventional spin-echo and gradient-echo techniques a several fold times, which in turn, abolishes the disadvantages induced by the air-alveolar interfaces.

Nuclear Imaging

• Radio-aerosol lung scintigraphy with technetium has been shown to precisely evaluate the extent of aerosol and particulate distribution and absorption through the entire air passage.
• In asthmatics receiving dry-powder inhalers as opposed to metered-dose inhalers, technetium scintigraphy may be used to demonstrate improved peripheral lung distribution of steroids.
• Ventilation defects may also be detected using technetium-99m DTPA.