The use of paramagnetic contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs and mediastinum has been the subject of preliminary investigation. Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd3+-DTPA) is a suitable intravenous paramagnetic contrast agent for imaging cerebral tumors and liver tumors. Its use in the thorax is more speculative, but early animal experimental data suggest that contrast-enhanced MRI may have a place in the assessment of pulmonary edema and lung parenchymal damage.