Probing lung microstructure with hyperpolarized noble gas diffusion MRI: theoretical models and experimental results.

ABSTRACT: The introduction of hyperpolarized gases ((3)He and (129)Xe) has opened the door to applications for which gaseous agents are uniquely suited-lung MRI. One of the pulmonary applications, diffusion MRI, relies on measuring Brownian motion of inhaled hyperpolarized gas atoms diffusing in lung airspaces. In this article we provide an overview of the theoretical ideas behind hyperpolarized gas diffusion MRI and the results obtained over the decade-long research. We describe a simple technique based on measuring gas apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and an advanced technique, in vivo lung morphometry, that quantifies lung microstructure both in terms of Weibel parameters (acinar airways radii and alveolar depth) and standard metrics (mean linear intercept, surface-to-volume ratio, and alveol

SUBMITTER: Yablonskiy DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6366858 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature