Short echo time MR spectroscopic imaging of the lung parenchyma

Purpose: To perform short echo time MR spectroscopic imaging of the lung parenchyma on normal volunteers.

Materials and methods: A short echo time projection-reconstruction spectroscopic imaging sequence was implemented on a commercial 1.5T whole body MRI scanner. Images and spectra of the lung parenchyma were obtained from five normal volunteers. Breath-held spectroscopic imaging was also performed.

Results: Spectroscopic imaging of short-T2* species allows visualization of different anatomic structures based upon their frequency shifts. A characteristic peak from the parenchyma was seen at three ppm from water frequency.

Conclusion: Short echo time MR spectroscopic imaging of the lung parenchyma was demonstrated in normal volunteers. This method may improve proton imaging of the lungs and add specificity to the diagnosis of pulmonary disease.