Comparison between chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in adult patients with non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis

<bold>Background:</bold> Currently, CT is the gold standard for diagnosis and the preferred method in follow-up of patients with bronchiectasis. Although there are some studies on the role of MRI in patients with CF bronchiectasis, particularly in children, little is known about its role in adults with non-CF bronchiectasis. <bold>Objectives:</bold> To compare MRI and CT radiological findings in a non-CF bronchiectasis in adult population. <bold>Methods:</bold> Outpatients with non-CF bronchiectasis in active disease phase attending the Pulmonary Unit at the Pisa University Hospital were evaluated. Anthropometric data, smoking history, baseline spirometry, severity disease score (BSI, E-FACED), and CT scans were collected. All patients underwent chest MRI within 6 months from CT; MRI and CT findings were evaluated by two radiologists using the modified Helbich (Bhalla) morphologic score. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to compare radiological data among the two different imaging techiniques. <bold>Results:</bold> The study population (n=20) had a mean age of 64 years, 75% were women, 60% were never smokers, and 40% were former smokers. Mean FEV1 was 2.11 L ± 0.72, mean BSI and E-FACED scores were 7 and 2, respectively. Non-CF bronchiectasis were idiopathic (40%) or post-infectious/post-tuberculosis (40%). ICC (3,k) between CT and MRI score was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.82-0.97). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> MRI and CT findings were strongly correlated in adults with non-CF bronchiectasis in active disease phase. These preliminary results suggest that MRI, as a radiation-free techinique, may be a viable alternative to CT, especially in follow-up. Further analyses are needed to confirm our results.