Magnetic resonance imaging detects changes in structure and perfusion, and response to therapy in early cystic fibrosis lung disease.

Abstract

Studies demonstrating early structural lung damage in infants and preschool children with cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest that noninvasive monitoring will be important to identify patients who may benefit from early therapeutic intervention. Previous studies demonstrated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects structural and functional abnormalities in lungs from older patients with CF without radiation exposure.