The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging compared to computed tomography in the evaluation of fat--containing thoracic lesions

Intrathoracic fat--containing lesions may arise in the mediastinum, lungs, pleura, or chest wall. While CT can be helpful in the detection and diagnosis of these lesions, it can only do so if the lesions contain macroscopic fat. Furthermore, because CT cannot demonstrate microscopic or intravoxel fat, it can fail to identify and diagnose microscopic fat-containing lesions. MRI, employing spectral and chemical shift fat suppression techniques, can identify both macroscopic and microscopic fat, with resultant enhanced capability to diagnose these intrathoracic lesions non--invasively and without ionizing radiation. This paper aims to review the CT and MRI findings of fat--containing lesions of the chest and describes the fat--suppression techniques utilized in their assessment.