Functional MR microscopy of the lung using hyperpolarized3He

Abstract

A new strategy designed to provide functional magnetic resonance images of the lung in small animals at microscopic resolution using hyperpolarized ³He is described. The pulse sequence is based on a combination of radial acquisition (RA) and CINE techniques, referred to as RA‐CINE, and is designed for use with hyperpolarized ³He to explore lung ventilation with high temporal and spatial resolution in small animal models. Ventilation of the live guinea pig is demonstrated with effective temporal resolution of 50 msec and in‐plane spatial resolution of 3He. The RA‐CINE sequence allows one to follow gas inflow and outflow in the airways as well as in the distal part of the lungs. Regional analysis of signal intensity variations can be performed and can help assess functional lung parameters such as residual gas volume and lung compliance to gas inflow. Magn Reson Med 41:787–792, 1999.