Real‐time 3D magnetic resonance imaging of the pharyngeal airway in sleep apnea. Issue 4 (20th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Yoon‐Chul; Lebel, R. Marc; Wu, Ziyue; Ward, Sally L. Davidson; Khoo, Michael C.K.; Nayak, Krishna S.
• Is Part Of: Magnetic resonance in medicine. Volume 71:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1501
• Page End: 1510
• Publication Date: 2013-06-20
• Subjects: Nuclear magnetic resonance -- Periodicals; Electron paramagnetic resonance -- Periodicals; 616.07548
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-3194

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="mrm24808-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To investigate the feasibility of real‐time 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with simultaneous recording of physiological signals for identifying sites of airway obstruction during natural sleep in pediatric patients with sleep‐disordered breathing.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm24808-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Experiments were performed using a three‐dimensional Fourier transformation (3DFT) gradient echo sequence with prospective undersampling based on golden‐angle radial spokes, and L1‐norm regularized iterative self‐consistent parallel imaging (L1‐SPIRiT) reconstruction. This technique was demonstrated in three healthy adult volunteers and five pediatric patients with sleep‐disordered breathing. External airway occlusion was used to induce partial collapse of the upper airway on inspiration and test the effectiveness of the proposed imaging method. Apneic events were identified using information available from synchronized recording of mask pressure and respiratory effort.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm24808-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Acceptable image quality was obtained in seven of eight subjects. Temporary airway collapse induced via inspiratory loading was successfully imaged in all three volunteers, with average airway volume reductions of 63.3%, 52.5%, and 33.7%. Central apneic events and associated airway narrowing/closure were identified in two pediatric patients. During central apneic events, airway obstruction was observed in the retropalatal region in one pediatric patient.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm24808-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Real‐time 3D MRI of the pharyngeal airway with synchronized recording of physiological signals is feasible and may provide valuable information about the sites and nature of airway narrowing/collapse during natural sleep. <bold>Magn Reson Med 71:1501–1510, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc</bold>.</p> </sec> </abstract>