Fast magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children: the sub-10-min unenhanced scan

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to report the feasibility and quality of fast (unenhanced < 10-min duration) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of lymphadenopathy in non-sedated children with suspected tuberculosis (TB).

Material and methods: This was a prospective study that involved children (< 13 years of age) hospitalised at Red Cross Children's Hospital with suspected pulmonary TB who were referred for a fast MRI of the chest. The limited short-duration MRI protocol included coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and axial diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences with additional axial STIR and axial and coronal T2 sequences if the patient was compliant. The scan time was capped at 10 min and a study was considered successfully completed when DWI and STIR images were obtained in axial planes. MRI quality was recorded as 'acceptable quality'; 'poor quality, but readable'; and 'non-diagnostic'.

Results: Of the 192 fast MRI protocol scans, 166 (86%) were successfully completed within the 10-min allotted scan period. There was no age or sex difference between successful and unsuccessful studies. The mean duration of successful scans was 6.5 min (standard deviation = 1.5 min, range = 4-10 min).

Conclusion: Fast (sub-10-min scan) MRI is feasible for diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in non-sedated children in the setting of suspected TB, including those below 6 years of age.