Feasibility of combining MR perfusion, angiography, and 3He ventilation imaging for evaluation of lung function in a porcine model
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Phase-Resolved Functional Lung MRI for Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion (V/Q) Assessment
Published on: August 9, 2024
Cheng Hong1, Jason C Leawoods, Dmitriy A Yablonskiy
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Rationale And Objective:
To assess the feasibility of combining magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, angiography, and 3He ventilation imaging for the evaluation of lung function in a porcine model.
Materials And Methods:
Fourteen consecutive porcine models with externally delivered pulmonary emboli and/or airway occlusions were examined with MR perfusion, angiography, and 3He ventilation imaging. Ultrafast gradient-echo sequences were used for 3D perfusion and angiographic imaging, in conjunction with the use of contrast-agent injections. 2D multiple-section 3He imaging was performed subsequently via the inhalation of hyperpolarized 3He gas. The diagnostic accuracy of MR angiography for detecting pulmonary emboli was determined by two reviewers. The diagnostic confidence for different combinations of MR techniques was rated on the basis of a 5-point grading scale (5 = definite).
Results:
The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MR angiography for detecting pulmonary emboli were approximately 85.7%, 90.5%, and 88.1%, respectively. The interobserver agreement was very strong (k = 0.82). There was a clear tendency for confidence to increase when first perfusion and then ventilation imaging were added to the angiographic image (Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P = 0.03).
Conclusion:
The combination of the three methods of MR perfusion, angiography, and 3H ventilation imaging may provide complementary information on abnormal lung anatomy and function.
Insights
This study shows that combining magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, angiography, and helium-3 (3He) ventilation imaging is feasible for evaluating lung function. This multimodal MR approach offers complementary insights into abnormal lung anatomy and function.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Assessing lung function is crucial for diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases.
- Current imaging techniques have limitations in providing comprehensive functional and anatomical information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of combining magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, angiography, and helium-3 (3He) ventilation imaging.
- To assess the utility of this combined MR approach for lung function evaluation in a porcine model.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen porcine models with induced pulmonary emboli and/or airway occlusions were studied.
- Ultrafast gradient-echo sequences were used for 3D MR perfusion and angiography with contrast agents.
- 2D multiple-section 3He imaging was performed following hyperpolarized 3He gas inhalation.
Main Results:
- MR angiography demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for detecting pulmonary emboli (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 90.5%, accuracy 88.1%).
- Interobserver agreement for MR angiography was very strong (k = 0.82).
- Diagnostic confidence significantly increased with the addition of perfusion and ventilation imaging to angiography (P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
- The combination of MR perfusion, angiography, and 3He ventilation imaging provides complementary information on lung anatomy and function.
- This multimodal MR technique shows promise for comprehensive lung evaluation.
