Abstract
This paper describes imaging of lung function with oxygen-enhanced MRI using dynamically acquired T 1 parameter maps, which allows an accurate, quantitative assessment of time constants of T 1-enhancement and therefore lung function. Eight healthy volunteers were examined on a 1.5-T whole-body scanner. Lung T 1-maps based on an IR Snapshot FLASH technique (TE = 1.4 ms, TR = 3.5 ms, FA = 7 ∘) were dynamically acquired from each subject. Without waiting for full relaxation between subsequent acquisition of T 1-maps, one T 1-map was acquired every 6.7 s. For comparison, all subjects underwent a standard pulmonary function test (PFT). Oxygen wash-in and wash-out time course curves of T 1 relaxation rate (R 1)-enhancement were obtained and time constants of oxygen wash-in (w in) and wash-out (w out) were calculated. Averaged over the whole right lung, the mean w out was 43.90 ± 10.47 s and the mean (w in) was 51.20 ± 15.53 s, thus about 17% higher in magnitude. Wash-in time constants correlated strongly with forced expired volume in one second in percentage of the vital capacity (FEV1 % VC) and with maximum expiratory flow at 25% vital capacity (MEF25), whereas wash-out time constants showed only weak correlation. Using oxygen-enhanced rapid dynamic acquisition of T 1-maps, time course curves of R 1-enhancement can be obtained. With w in and w out two new parameters for assessing lung function are available. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential to provide regional information of pulmonary function in various lung diseases.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Acknowledgments.
We would like to thank Karin Kretzer of the pulmonary function lab of the department of pneumology at the University of Würzburg for the performance of the pulmonary function tests.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arnold, J., Fidler, F., Wang, T. et al. Imaging lung function using rapid dynamic acquisition of T 1-maps during oxygen enhancement. Magn Reson Mater Phy 16, 246–253 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-004-0034-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-004-0034-z