Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a real possibility, or an attractive challenge?

The original article by Mirsadraee et al. (1) is greatly welcomed for the considerable interest and the clinical relevance of the chosen topic, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is currently a dangerously under-diagnosed disease due to the difficulties of interpretation of high resolution CT (HRCT) findings and the insidious clinical onset. To date no cure for this disease is available; however anti-fibrotic drugs have proven effective in slowing the progression and functional decline of this disease. Lung transplantation therefore, to date, remains the only possible cure for IPF. Increasing attention is also due to the publication of international guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), in particular of IPF, and for this reason efforts are increased in trying to achieve an early diagnosis (2-5).