Low-Field 0.55T MRI Detects Sarcoidosis Consolidations with 86% Sensitivity, Adds Functional Lung Mapping

0.55T lung MRI detected consolidations with 86% sensitivity in sarcoidosis, but only 27-29% for reticulations and traction bronchiectasis. Functional MRI added ventilation and perfusion defect measures that correlated with PFT (e.g. VDP vs RV/TLC r=0.90). Radiation-free.

• Prospective study: 15 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and 30 healthy volunteers; CT served as morphological reference standard.
• Functional MRI metrics (VDP, QDP, VQO) were significantly higher in patients (all p<0.01); VDP strongly correlated with RV/TLC ratio (r=0.90, p<0.001).
• Limited by small sample size, low sensitivity for subtle interstitial findings (reticulation 29%, traction bronchiectasis 27%), and single-center design without external validation.

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