The diagnostic value of vascular architecture in solid solitary pulmonary nodules quantified by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI

Highlight box

Key findings

• Quantitative parameters K^trans and V_e values of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) showed high diagnostic efficacy for malignant solid solitary pulmonary nodules (SSPNs).

• Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters of SSPNs correlate with some vascular architectural parameters.

• DCE-MRI provides a non-invasive, ionizing radiation-free method for the differential diagnosis of SSPNs.

What is known and what is new?

• Early diagnosis of SSPNs is critical for improving prognosis and enhancing survival.

• Microvessel density, vascular endothelial growth factor and microvascular perfusion index are histological markers reflecting tumor microangiogenesis and vascular normalization.

• DCE-MRI is now clinically used to evaluate microvascular changes in tumors of such as breast, prostate and rectal cancer.

• Our study adds conventional MRI scanning with respiratory gating as well as artifact correction to ensure image quality.

• Differential diagnosis of SSPNs at the level of the vascular microenvironment using quantitative DCE-MRI parameters is helpful.

What is the implication, and what should change now?

• Due to improvements in scanning and post-processing techniques, magnetic resonance technology has been progressively used in the differential diagnosis of lung lesions, assessment of efficacy, and prediction of prognosis.

• Evaluation of SSPNs that are difficult to identify clinically can be attempted by means of DCE-MRI examination.