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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Acquiring Hyperpolarized 129Xe Magnetic Resonance Images of Lung Ventilation
Published on: November 21, 2023
Detection and localization of pulmonary air leaks using laser-polarized (3)He MRI
D A Roberts1, R R Rizi, D A Lipson
1Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4283, USA. roberts@oasis.rad.upenn.edu
Abstract:
Pulmonary air leaks were created in the lungs of Yorkshire pigs. Dynamic, 3D MRI of laser-polarized (3)He gas was then performed using a gradient-echo pulse sequence. Coronal magnitude images of the helium distribution were acquired during gas inhalation with a voxel resolution of approximately 1.2 x 2.5 x 8 mm, and a time resolution of 5 sec. In each animal, the ventilation images reveal focal high-signal intensity within the pleural cavity at the site of the air leaks. In addition, a wedge-shaped region of increased parenchymal signal intensity was observed adjacent to the site of the air leak in one animal. (3)He MRI may prove helpful in the management of patients with pulmonary air leaks.
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