This book reviews the basics of pulmonary functional imaging using new CT and MR techniques and describes the clinical applications of these techniques in detail. The intention is to equip readers with a full understanding of pulmonary functional imaging that will allow optimal application of all relevant techniques in the assessment of a variety of diseases, including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer and pulmonary nodule. Pulmonary functional imaging has been promoted as a research and diagnostic tool that has the capability to overcome the limitations of morphological assessments as well as functional evaluation based on traditional nuclear medicine studies. The recent advances in CT and MRI and in medical image processing and analysis have given further impetus to pulmonary functional imaging and provide the basis for future expansion of its use in clinical applications. In documenting the utility of state-of-the-art pulmonary functional imaging in diagnostic radiology and pulmonary medicine, this book will be of high value for chest radiologists, pulmonologists, pulmonary surgeons, and radiation technologists.

For a long time, imaging of the chest was based on the use of either radiography, demonstrating lung morphology, or scintigraphy, looking at lung function. However, as a result of recent developments in CT and MRI technology it is now possible to perform dedicated investigations of different aspects of lung function, such as ventilation, perfusion, gas exchange, and respiratory mechanics. This volume, written by acknowledged experts in the field, provides a well-illustrated and comprehensive review of these novel approaches to functional imaging of the chest. It will be of great assistance to all who are establishing such strategies in the research or clinical arenas for the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of patients with lung diseases.

Imaging techniques have been used for decades to detect anomalies, study organ function and for diagnostic purposes. Advances in imaging techniques and image processing as well as a wider availability of lung imaging is providing an increasing amount of data and new insights into lung structure and function and their alterations in common lung diseases. Functional imaging biomarkers have the potential to better characterize individual patient phenotypes, predict disease trajectories, and help personalize therapy. The wealth of new data also confronts us with new challenges in terms of identifying, quantifying, deciphering, and standardizing image-based parameters pertaining to regional lung function.

During the past decade significant developments have been achieved in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enabling MRI to enter the clinical arena of chest imaging. Standard protocols can now be implemented on up-to-date scanners, allowing MRI to be used as a first-line imaging modality for various lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and even lung cancer. The diagnostic benefits stem from the ability of MRI to visualize changes in lung structure while simultaneously imaging different aspects of lung function, such as perfusion, respiratory motion, ventilation and gas exchange. On this basis, novel quantitative surrogates for lung function can be obtained. This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to use MRI for imaging of lung disease. Special emphasis is placed on benign diseases requiring regular monitoring, given that it is patients with these diseases who derive the greatest benefit from the avoidance of ionizing radiation.

Written by world authorities, this reference explores the utilization and advancement of state-of-the-art imaging modalities for the analysis of pulmonary function-providing an up-to-date and global perspective of imaging applications with detailed contributions from experts in Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia.

In describing the principles of PET, this makes for a useful resource for incorporating the technique in clinical practice. In clear and straightforward fashion, the book offers instructive information and overviews of the physical, biochemical and clinical principles of PET scanning and its routine clinical use. It serves as a reference work for specialists in nuclear medicine and for oncologists, while also providing students and physicians in other medical specialties with a general introduction to the effective integration of this modern technique in routine clinical diagnostics. Above all, it illustrates the importance of PET in comparison with other imaging techniques.