Elucidation of structure-function relationships in the lung: contributions from hyperpolarized 3helium MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using hyperpolarized 3helium (He) gas as the source of signal provides new physiological insights into the structure-function relationships of the lung. Traditionally, lung morphology has been visualized by chest radiography and computed tomography, whereas lung function was assessed by using nuclear medicine. As all these techniques rely on ionizing radiation, MRI has some inherent advantages. 3He MRI is based on 'optical pumping' of the 3He gas which increases the nuclear spin polarization by four to five orders of magnitude translating into a massive gain in signal. Hyperpolarized 3He gas is administered as an inhaled 'contrast agent' and allows for selective visualization of airways and airspaces. Straightforward gas density images demonstrate the homogeneity of ventilation with high spatial resolution. In patients with lung diseases 3He MRI has shown a high sensitivity to depict ventilation defects. As 3He has some more exciting properties, a comprehensive four-step functional imaging protocol has been established. The dynamic distribution of ventilation during continuous breathing can be visualized after inhalation of a single breath of 3He gas using magnetic resonance (MR) sequences with high temporal resolution. Diffusion weighted 3He MRI provides a new measure for pulmonary microstructure because the degree of restriction of the Brownian motion of the 3He atoms reflects lung structure. Since the decay of 3He hyperpolarization is dependent on the ambient oxygen concentration, regional and temporal analysis of intrapulmonary pO2 becomes feasible. Thus, pulmonary perfusion, ventilation /perfusion ratio and oxygen uptake can be indirectly assessed. Further research will determine the significance of the functional information with regard to physiology and patient management.