Realization of ¹⁹F MRI oximetry method using perfluorodecalin

To identify the technical aspects of the potential use of clinically approved perfluorodecalin (PFD, C₁₀F₁₈) for ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) oximetry method at high magnetic field 7.05 T.

¹⁹F T₁ measurements were made on a set of PFD samples with different oxygen contents (0%, 21%, and 100%) at room (21 °C) and body temperature (37 °C). In vivo MRI studies were carried out on one healthy rat and two rats with C6 brain glioma.

The selective excitation of the magnetically equivalent ¹⁹F nuclei of CF₂ groups of trans-isomer of PFD, which give a doublet at a frequency of about - 140 ppm (in relation the chemical shift of trifluoroacetic acid, which is - 76.55 ppm) should be done for correct implementation of ¹⁹F MRI oximetry method. The amount of PFD equal to 30 μl is the optimal for obtaining reliable data on the measured T₁ values. In this case, the standard deviation of T₁ does not exceed 5%. In vivo MRI studies showed that the values of the partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂) decrease from normal values of about 38 mmHg (healthy brain) to almost 0 mmHg at the last stage of tumor growth.

The study showed the feasibility of the successful application of PFD for ¹⁹F MRI oximetry method.