Evolving Indications, Technical Quality, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Utilization Patterns of Chest Magnetic…

Cohort studyJournal of thoracic imaging· Aug 2026

Evolving Indications, Technical Quality, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Utilization Patterns of Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Quaternary Care Center Experience With 3730 Patients Over 25 Years.

Bruno Hochhegger, Julio M F Zhang, Joao M da Fonseca … Jeanne B Ackman

RadiologyCohort studyClinical practiceQ2IF 1.4

Oncologic indications rose to 36.8% of chest magnetic resonance imaging studies by 2020-2025.

Evolving Indications, Technical Quality, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Utilization Patterns of Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Quaternary Care Center Experience With 3730 Patients Over 25 Years.

Bruno Hochhegger … Jeanne B Ackman

Journal of thoracic imaging · Aug 2026 · Q2 in Radiology

Purpose

To characterize longitudinal trends in clinical indications, technical quality, diagnostic outcomes, and demographic patterns of chest magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) at a US quaternary care center over 25 years.

Methods

This institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study analyzed 3730 consecutive chest magnetic resonance imaging examinations performed between August 2001 and April 2026 at a US quaternary care academic medical center.

Results

oncology is now the leading reason for chest magnetic resonance imaging, overtaking vascular workups

More results

Annual volume peaked at 270 in 2012 with a resurgence to 172 in 2025.

Confirmed aortic/vascular pathology fell from 17.3% to 2.1%; malignant diagnoses increased from 3.2% to 10.2% (P < 0.001).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Chest magnetic resonance imaging utilization has shifted significantly over 25 years from predominantly vascular to oncology-driven indications, with stable diagnostic yield.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Technical examination quality limitations were significantly more frequent during off-hours.

Evolving Indications, Technical Quality, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Utilization Patterns of Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Quaternary Care Center Experience With 3730 Patients Over 25 Years.

Evolving Indications, Technical Quality, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Utilization Patterns of Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Quaternary Care Center Experience With 3730 Patients Over 25 Years.

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