Imaging of the lung in cystic fibrosis. Radiation is not always necessary

Established imaging methods offer important information for diagnosis and monitoring of CF lung disease. Due to early clinical diagnosis the challenge is and will remain in the future the increasing group of young patients with often subtile pathologies requiring repeated imaging during lifetime. Especially in these patients radiation exposure is an important concern and should be replaced whenever possible by radiation free methods. MRI provides early diagnosis and follow up with functional information and enables individualized therapy. However, the selection of an imaging modality should be based on the clinical situation: MRI (and chest x-rax in adults) for routine controls and CT in emergency situations.