Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Quantification of MRI T2 Interstitial Lung Disease Signal-Intensity Volume in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Pilot
Ilyes Benlala1,2, Agnes Albat2, Elodie Blanchard2
1Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM U1045, CIC 1401, Bordeaux, France.
Background:
Imaging has played a pivotal role in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent reports suggest that T2 -weighted MRI could be sensitive to monitor signal-intensity modifications of the lung parenchyma, which may relate to the disease activity in IPF. However, there is a lack of automated tools to reproducibly quantify the extent of the disease, especially using MRI.
Purpose:
To assess the feasibility of T2 interstitial lung disease signal-intensity volume quantification using a semiautomated method in IPF.
Study Type:
Single center, retrospective.
Population:
A total of 21 adult IPF patients and four control subjects without lung interstitial abnormalities.
Field Strength/Sequence:
Both free-breathing ultrashort echo time (TE) lung MRI using the spiral volume interpolated breath hold examination (VIBE) sequence (3D-UTE) and T2 -BLADE at 1.5T.
Assessment:
Semiautomated segmentation of the lung volume was done using 3D-UTE and registered to the T2 -BLADE images. The interstitial lung disease signal-intensity volume (ISIV) was quantified using a Gaussian mixture model clustering and then normalized to the lung volume to calculate T2 -ISIV. The composite physiological index (CPI) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured as known biomarkers of IPF severity. Measurements were performed independently by three readers and averaged. The reproducibility between measurements was also assessed.
Statistical Tests:
Reproducibility was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Correlations were assessed using Spearman test. Comparison of median was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results:
The reproducibility of T2 -ISIV was high, with ICCs = 0.99. Using Bland-Altman analysis, the mean differences were found between -0.8 to 0.1. T2 -ISIV significantly correlated with CPI and FVC (rho = 0.48 and 0.50, respectively; P < 0.05). T2 -ISIV was significantly higher in IPF than in controls (P < 0.05).
Data Conclusion:
T2 -ISIV appears to be able to reproducibly assess the volumetric extent of abnormal interstitial lung signal-intensity modifications in patients with IPF, and correlate with disease severity.
Level Of Evidence:
4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
Insights
This study introduces a new semiautomated method to quantify T2 signal intensity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lungs using MRI. The T2-ISIV method shows high reproducibility and correlates with disease severity, offering a promising tool for IPF assessment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis relies heavily on imaging.
- T2-weighted MRI shows potential for monitoring lung parenchyma signal changes related to IPF activity.
- A need exists for automated tools to quantify disease extent using MRI in IPF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of a semiautomated method for quantifying T2 interstitial lung disease signal-intensity volume (ISIV) in IPF patients.
Main Methods:
- A semiautomated segmentation approach using 3D-UTE MRI was registered to T2-BLADE images.
- Interstitial lung disease signal-intensity volume (ISIV) was quantified using Gaussian mixture model clustering and normalized to lung volume (T2-ISIV).
- Reproducibility was assessed using ICC and Bland-Altman analysis; correlations with composite physiological index (CPI) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- The T2-ISIV method demonstrated high reproducibility (ICC = 0.99) with minimal mean differences (-0.8 to 0.1).
- T2-ISIV showed significant correlations with CPI (rho = 0.48) and FVC (rho = 0.50) (P < 0.05).
- T2-ISIV values were significantly higher in IPF patients compared to controls (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- T2-ISIV is a reproducible method for assessing the volumetric extent of abnormal interstitial lung signal intensity in IPF.
- The T2-ISIV quantification method correlates with established biomarkers of IPF disease severity.
- This technique offers a promising approach for monitoring IPF progression and treatment response.
