Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Author Spotlight: Standardization and Best Practices for Advancing Lung Imaging Using 129Xe MRI
Published on: November 21, 2023
Hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance lung imaging of non-sedated infants and young children: a proof-of-concept
Talissa A Altes1, Craig H Meyer2, Jaime F Mata3
1Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States; Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Purpose:
To develop and evaluate a protocol for hyperpolarized helium-3 (HHe) ventilation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs of non-sedated infants and children.
Materials And Methods:
HHe ventilation MRI was performed on seven children ≤4years old. Contiguous 2D-spiral helium-3 images were acquired sequentially with a scan time of ≤0.2s/slice.
Results:
Motion-artifact-free, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) images of lung ventilation were obtained. Gas was homogeneously distributed in healthy individuals; focal ventilation defects were found in patients with respiratory diseases.
Conclusion:
HHe ventilation MRI can aid assessment of pediatric lung disease even at a young age.
