Blood volume fraction imaging of the human lung using intravoxel incoherent motion. Issue 5 (18th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carinci, Flavio; Meyer, Cord; Phys, Dipl; Breuer, Felix A.; Triphan, Simon; Choli, Morwan; Phys, Dipl; Jakob, Peter M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 41:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 1454
• Page End: 1464
• Publication Date: 2014-06-18
• Subjects: Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jmri24669-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To present a technique for non‐contrast‐enhanced in vivo imaging of the blood volume fraction of the human lung. The technique is based on the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) approach. However, a substantial novelty is introduced here: the need for external diffusion sensitizing gradients is eliminated by exploiting the internal magnetic field gradients typical of the lung tissue, due to magnetic susceptibility differences at air/tissue interfaces.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24669-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>A single shot turbo spin‐echo sequence with stimulated‐echo preparation and electrocardiograph synchronization was used for acquisition. Two images were acquired in a single breath‐hold of 10 seconds duration: one reference image and one blood‐suppressed image. The blood volume fraction was quantified using a two‐compartment signal decay model, as given by the IVIM theory. Experiments were performed at 1.5T in eight healthy volunteers.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24669-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Values of the blood volume fraction obtained within the lung parenchyma (36 ± 16%) are in good agreement with previous reports, obtained using contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (33%), and show relatively good reproducibility.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24669-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The presented technique offers a robust way to quantify the blood volume fraction of the human lung parenchyma without using contrast agents. Image acquisition can be accomplished in a single breath‐hold and could be suitable for clinical applications on patients with lung diseases. <bold>J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1454–1464.</bold> © <bold>2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</bold></p> </sec> </abstract>