3D Single-Breath Chemical Shift Imaging Hyperpolarized Xe-129 MRI of Healthy, CF, IPF, and COPD Subjects

Tomography. 2022 Oct 13;8(5):2574-2587. doi: 10.3390/tomography8050215.

Abstract

3D Single-breath Chemical Shift Imaging (3D-SBCSI) is a hybrid MR-spectroscopic imaging modality that uses hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas (Xe-129) to differentiate lung diseases by probing functional characteristics. This study tests the efficacy of 3D-SBCSI in differentiating physiology among pulmonary diseases. A total of 45 subjects-16 healthy, 11 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 13 cystic fibrosis (CF), and 5 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-were given 1/3 forced vital capacity (FVC) of hyperpolarized Xe-129, inhaled for a ~7 s MRI acquisition. Proton, Xe-129 ventilation, and 3D-SBCSI images were acquired with separate breath-holds using a radiofrequency chest coil tuned to Xe-129. The Xe-129 spectrum was analyzed in each lung voxel for ratios of spectroscopic peaks, chemical shifts, and T2* relaxation. CF and COPD subjects had significantly more ventilation defects than IPF and healthy subjects, which correlated with FEV1 predicted (R = -0.74). FEV1 predicted correlated well with RBC/Gas ratio (R = 0.67). COPD and IPF had significantly higher Tissue/RBC ratios than other subjects, longer RBC T2* relaxation times, and greater RBC chemical shifts. CF subjects had more ventilation defects than healthy subjects, elevated Tissue/RBC ratio, shorter Tissue T2* relaxation, and greater RBC chemical shift. 3D-SBCSI may be helpful in the detection and characterization of pulmonary disease, following treatment efficacy, and predicting disease outcomes.

Keywords: COPD; MRI; cystic fibrosis; hyperpolarized xenon-129; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cystic Fibrosis*
  • Gases
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Protons
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Protons
  • Xenon-129
  • Gases