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Eills J, Budker D, Cavagnero S, Chekmenev EY, Elliott SJ, Jannin S, Lesage A, Matysik J, Meersmann T, Prisner T, Reimer JA, Yang H, Koptyug IV. Spin Hyperpolarization in Modern Magnetic Resonance. Chem Rev 2023; 123:1417-1551. [PMID: 36701528 PMCID: PMC9951229 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance techniques are successfully utilized in a broad range of scientific disciplines and in various practical applications, with medical magnetic resonance imaging being the most widely known example. Currently, both fundamental and applied magnetic resonance are enjoying a major boost owing to the rapidly developing field of spin hyperpolarization. Hyperpolarization techniques are able to enhance signal intensities in magnetic resonance by several orders of magnitude, and thus to largely overcome its major disadvantage of relatively low sensitivity. This provides new impetus for existing applications of magnetic resonance and opens the gates to exciting new possibilities. In this review, we provide a unified picture of the many methods and techniques that fall under the umbrella term "hyperpolarization" but are currently seldom perceived as integral parts of the same field. Specifically, before delving into the individual techniques, we provide a detailed analysis of the underlying principles of spin hyperpolarization. We attempt to uncover and classify the origins of hyperpolarization, to establish its sources and the specific mechanisms that enable the flow of polarization from a source to the target spins. We then give a more detailed analysis of individual hyperpolarization techniques: the mechanisms by which they work, fundamental and technical requirements, characteristic applications, unresolved issues, and possible future directions. We are seeing a continuous growth of activity in the field of spin hyperpolarization, and we expect the field to flourish as new and improved hyperpolarization techniques are implemented. Some key areas for development are in prolonging polarization lifetimes, making hyperpolarization techniques more generally applicable to chemical/biological systems, reducing the technical and equipment requirements, and creating more efficient excitation and detection schemes. We hope this review will facilitate the sharing of knowledge between subfields within the broad topic of hyperpolarization, to help overcome existing challenges in magnetic resonance and enable novel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Eills
- Institute
for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology, 08028Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dmitry Budker
- Johannes
Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128Mainz, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institut,
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 55128Mainz, Germany
- Department
of Physics, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California94720, United States
| | - Silvia Cavagnero
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53706, United States
| | - Eduard Y. Chekmenev
- Department
of Chemistry, Integrative Biosciences (IBio), Karmanos Cancer Institute
(KCI), Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan48202, United States
- Russian
Academy of Sciences, Moscow119991, Russia
| | - Stuart J. Elliott
- Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College
London, LondonW12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sami Jannin
- Centre
de RMN à Hauts Champs de Lyon, Université
de Lyon, CNRS, ENS Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69100Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anne Lesage
- Centre
de RMN à Hauts Champs de Lyon, Université
de Lyon, CNRS, ENS Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69100Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jörg Matysik
- Institut
für Analytische Chemie, Universität
Leipzig, Linnéstr. 3, 04103Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Meersmann
- Sir
Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University Park, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Prisner
- Institute
of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Center of Biomolecular Magnetic
Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, , 60438Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A. Reimer
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, UC Berkeley, and Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California94720, United States
| | - Hanming Yang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53706, United States
| | - Igor V. Koptyug
- International Tomography Center, Siberian
Branch of the Russian Academy
of Sciences, 630090Novosibirsk, Russia
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Chan HF, Collier GJ, Parra-Robles J, Wild JM. Finite element simulations of hyperpolarized gas DWI in micro-CT meshes of acinar airways: validating the cylinder and stretched exponential models of lung microstructural length scales. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:514-525. [PMID: 33624325 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This work assesses the accuracy of the stretched exponential (SEM) and cylinder models of lung microstructural length scales that can be derived from hyperpolarized gas DWI. This was achieved by simulating 3 He and 129 Xe DWI signals within two micro-CT-derived realistic acinar airspace meshes that represent healthy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lungs. METHODS The healthy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis acinar airway meshes were derived from segmentations of 3D micro-CT images of excised human lungs and meshed for finite element simulations of the Bloch-Torrey equations. 3 He and 129 Xe multiple b value DWI experiments across a range of diffusion times (3 He Δ = 1.6 ms; 129 Xe Δ = 5 to 20 ms) were simulated in each mesh. Global SEM mean diffusive length scale and cylinder model mean chord length value was derived from each finite element simulation and compared against each mesh's mean linear intercept length, calculated from intercept length measurements within micro-CT segmentation masks. RESULTS The SEM-derived mean diffusive length scale was within ±10% of the mean linear intercept length for simulations with both 3 He (Δ = 1.6 ms) and 129 Xe (Δ = 7 to 13 ms) in the healthy mesh, and with 129 Xe (Δ = 13 to 20 ms) for the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mesh, whereas for the cylinder model-derived mean chord length the closest agreement with mean linear intercept length (11.7% and 22.6% difference) was at 129 Xe Δ = 20 ms for both healthy and IPF meshes, respectively. CONCLUSION This work validates the use of the SEM for accurate estimation of acinar dimensions and indicates that the SEM is relatively robust across a range of experimental conditions and acinar length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Fung Chan
- POLARIS, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Guilhem J Collier
- POLARIS, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Parra-Robles
- POLARIS, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jim M Wild
- POLARIS, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Insigneo, Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Chan HF, Collier GJ, Weatherley ND, Wild JM. Comparison of in vivo lung morphometry models from 3D multiple b-value3He and129Xe diffusion-weighted MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2959-2971. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Fung Chan
- POLARIS, Academic Unit of Radiology, Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease; University of Sheffield; Sheffield United Kingdom
| | - Guilhem J. Collier
- POLARIS, Academic Unit of Radiology, Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease; University of Sheffield; Sheffield United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D. Weatherley
- POLARIS, Academic Unit of Radiology, Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease; University of Sheffield; Sheffield United Kingdom
- Academic Directorate of Respiratory Medicine; Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Sheffield United Kingdom
| | - Jim M. Wild
- POLARIS, Academic Unit of Radiology, Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease; University of Sheffield; Sheffield United Kingdom
- Insigneo, Institute for in Silico Medicine; University of Sheffield; Sheffield United Kingdom
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Yablonskiy DA, Sukstanskii AL, Quirk JD. Diffusion lung imaging with hyperpolarized gas MRI. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2017; 30:10.1002/nbm.3448. [PMID: 26676342 PMCID: PMC4911335 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Lung imaging using conventional 1 H MRI presents great challenges because of the low density of lung tissue, lung motion and very fast lung tissue transverse relaxation (typical T2 * is about 1-2 ms). MRI with hyperpolarized gases (3 He and 129 Xe) provides a valuable alternative because of the very strong signal originating from inhaled gas residing in the lung airspaces and relatively slow gas T2 * relaxation (typical T2 * is about 20-30 ms). However, in vivo human experiments should be performed very rapidly - usually during a single breath-hold. In this review, we describe the recent developments in diffusion lung MRI with hyperpolarized gases. We show that a combination of the results of modeling of gas diffusion in lung airspaces and diffusion measurements with variable diffusion-sensitizing gradients allows the extraction of quantitative information on the lung microstructure at the alveolar level. From an MRI scan of less than 15 s, this approach, called in vivo lung morphometry, allows the provision of quantitative values and spatial distributions of the same physiological parameters as measured by means of 'standard' invasive stereology (mean linear intercept, surface-to-volume ratio, density of alveoli, etc.). In addition, the approach makes it possible to evaluate some advanced Weibel parameters characterizing lung microstructure: average radii of alveolar sacs and ducts, as well as the depth of their alveolar sleeves. Such measurements, providing in vivo information on the integrity of pulmonary acinar airways and their changes in different diseases, are of great importance and interest to a broad range of physiologists and clinicians. We also discuss a new type of experiment based on the in vivo lung morphometry technique combined with quantitative computed tomography measurements, as well as with gradient echo MRI measurements of hyperpolarized gas transverse relaxation in the lung airspaces. Such experiments provide additional information on the blood vessel volume fraction, specific gas volume and length of the acinar airways, and allow the evaluation of lung parenchymal and non-parenchymal tissue. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James D Quirk
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Ruan W, Zhong J, Wang K, Wu G, Han Y, Sun X, Ye C, Zhou X. Detection of the mild emphysema by quantification of lung respiratory airways with hyperpolarized xenon diffusion MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 45:879-888. [PMID: 27472552 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the feasibility to quantify the lung respiratory airway in vivo with hyperpolarized xenon diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is able to detect mild emphysema in the rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS The lung respiratory airways were quantified in vivo using hyperpolarized xenon diffusion MRI (7T) with eight b values (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 s/cm2 ) in five control rats and five mild emphysematous rats, which were induced by elastase. The morphological results from histology were acquired and used for comparison. RESULTS The parameters DL (longitudinal diffusion coefficient), r (internal radius), h (alveolar sleeve depth), Lm (mean linear intercept), and S/V (surface area to lung volume ratio) derived from the hyperpolarized xenon diffusion MRI in the emphysematous group showed significant differences from those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, these parameters correlated well with the Lm obtained by the traditional histological sections (Pearson's correlation coefficients >0.8). CONCLUSION The lung respiratory airways can be quantified by hyperpolarized xenon diffusion MRI, showing the potential for mild emphysema diagnosis. Also, the study suggested that the hyperpolarized xenon DL is more sensitive than DT (transverse diffusion coefficient) to detect mild emphysema. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:879-888.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Jianping Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Guangyao Wu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Yeqing Han
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xianping Sun
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Chaohui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
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6
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Yablonskiy DA, Sukstanskii AL, Quirk JD, Woods JC, Conradi MS. Probing lung microstructure with hyperpolarized noble gas diffusion MRI: theoretical models and experimental results. Magn Reson Med 2016; 71:486-505. [PMID: 23554008 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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 alveolar density) that are widely used by lung researchers but were previously available only from invasive lung biopsy. This technique has the ability to provide unique three-dimensional tomographic information on lung microstructure from a less than 15 s MRI scan with results that are in good agreement with direct histological measurements. These safe and sensitive diffusion measurements improve our understanding of lung structure and functioning in health and disease, providing a platform for monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in clinical trials.
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7
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Komlosi P, Altes TA, Qing K, Mooney KE, Miller GW, Mata JF, de Lange EE, Tobias WA, Cates GD, Brookeman JR, Mugler JP. Regional anisotropy of airspace orientation in the lung as assessed with hyperpolarized helium-3 diffusion MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2015; 42:1777-82. [PMID: 26012720 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate regional anisotropy of lung-airspace orientation by assessing the dependence of helium-3 ((3) He) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on the direction of diffusion sensitization at two field strengths. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hyperpolarized (3) He diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung was performed at 0.43T and 1.5T in 12 healthy volunteers. A gradient-echo pulse sequence was used with a bipolar diffusion-sensitization gradient applied separately along three orthogonal directions. ADC maps, median ADC values, and signal-to-noise ratios were calculated from the diffusion-weighted images. Two readers scored the ADC maps for increased values at lung margins, major fissures, or within focal central regions. RESULTS ADC values were found to depend on the direction of diffusion sensitization (P < 0.01, except for craniocaudal vs. anteroposterior directions at 1.5T) and were increased at the lateral and medial surfaces for left-right diffusion sensitization (12 of 12 subjects); at the apex and base (9 of 12), and along the major fissure (8 of 12), for craniocaudal diffusion sensitization; and at the most anterior and posterior lung (10 of 12) for anteroposterior diffusion sensitization. Median ADC values at 0.43T (0.201 ± 0.017, left-right; 0.193 ± 0.019, craniocaudal; and 0.187 ± 0.017 cm(2) /s, anteroposterior) were slightly lower than those at 1.5T (0.205 ± 0.017, 0.197 ± 0.017 and 0.194 ± 0.016 cm(2) /s, respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These findings indicate that diffusion-weighted hyperpolarized (3) He MRI can detect regional anisotropy of lung-airspace orientation, including that associated with preferential orientation of terminal airways near pleural surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Komlosi
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Talissa A Altes
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kun Qing
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Karen E Mooney
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - G Wilson Miller
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jaime F Mata
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Eduard E de Lange
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William A Tobias
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Gordon D Cates
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - James R Brookeman
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - John P Mugler
- Center for In-vivo Hyperpolarized Gas MR Imaging, Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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8
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Chang YV, Quirk JD, Yablonskiy DA. In vivo lung morphometry with accelerated hyperpolarized (3) He diffusion MRI: a preliminary study. Magn Reson Med 2015; 73:1609-14. [PMID: 24799044 PMCID: PMC4221580 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Parallel imaging can be used to reduce imaging time and to increase the spatial coverage in hyperpolarized gas magnetic resonance imaging of the lung. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigate the effects of parallel imaging on the morphometric measurement of lung microstructure using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging with hyperpolarized (3) He. METHODS Fully sampled and under-sampled multi-b diffusion data were acquired from human subjects using an 8-channel (3) He receive coil. A parallel imaging reconstruction technique (generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions [GRAPPA]) was used to reconstruct under-sampled k-space data. The morphometric results of the generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions-reconstructed data were compared with the results of fully sampled data for three types of subjects: healthy volunteers, mild, and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. RESULTS Morphometric measurements varied only slightly at mild acceleration factors. The results were largely well preserved compared to fully sampled data for different lung conditions. CONCLUSION Parallel imaging, given sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, provides a reliable means to accelerate hyperpolarized-gas magnetic resonance imaging with no significant difference in the measurement of lung morphometry from the fully sampled images. GRAPPA is a promising technique to significantly reduce imaging time and/or to improve the spatial coverage for the morphometric measurement with hyperpolarized gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin V Chang
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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9
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Quirk JD, Chang YV, Yablonskiy DA. In vivo lung morphometry with hyperpolarized (3) He diffusion MRI: reproducibility and the role of diffusion-sensitizing gradient direction. Magn Reson Med 2015; 73:1252-7. [PMID: 24752926 PMCID: PMC4205219 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung morphometry with hyperpolarized gas diffusion MRI is a highly sensitive technique for the noninvasive measurement of acinar microstructural parameters traditionally only accessible by histology. The goal of this work is to establish the reproducibility of these measurements in healthy volunteers and their dependence on the direction of the applied diffusion-sensitizing gradient. METHODS Hyperpolarized helium-3 ((3) He) lung morphometry MRI was performed on a total of five healthy subjects. Two subjects received duplicate imaging on the same day and three subjects received duplicate imaging after a 4-month or 27-month delay to assess reproducibility. Four subjects repeated the measurement during the same session with different diffusion-sensitizing gradient directions to determine the effect on the parameter estimates. RESULTS The (3) He lung morphometry measurements were reproducible over the short term and long term (e.g., % coefficient of variation [CV] of mean chord length, Lm = 2.1% and 2.9%, respectively) and across different diffusion gradient directions (Lm % CV = 2.6%). Results also show independence of field inhomogeneity effects at 1.5T. CONCLUSION (3) He lung morphometry is a reproducible technique for measuring acinar microstructure and is effectively independent of the choice of diffusion gradient direction. This provides confidence for the use of this technique to compare populations and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Quirk
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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10
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Sukstanskii AL, Quirk JD, Yablonskiy DA. Probing lung microstructure with hyperpolarized 3He gradient echo MRI. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2014; 27:1451-60. [PMID: 24920182 PMCID: PMC4232999 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we demonstrate that gradient echo MRI with hyperpolarized (3)He gas can be used for simultaneously extracting in vivo information about lung ventilation properties, alveolar geometrical parameters, and blood vessel network structure. This new approach is based on multi-gradient-echo experimental measurements of hyperpolarized (3)He gas MRI signal from human lungs and a proposed theoretical model of this signal. Based on computer simulations of (3)He atoms diffusing in the acinar airway tree in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field induced by the susceptibility differences between lung tissue (alveolar septa, blood vessels) and lung airspaces, we derive analytical expressions relating the time-dependent MR signal to the geometrical parameters of acinar airways and the blood vessel network. Data obtained on eight healthy volunteers are in good agreement with literature values. This information is complementary to the information obtained by means of the in vivo lung morphometry technique with hyperpolarized 3He diffusion MRI previously developed by our group, and opens new opportunities to study lung microstructure in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James D Quirk
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis MO, 63110, USA
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11
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Yablonskiy DA, Sukstanskii AL, Conradi MS. Commentary on "The influence of lung airways branching structure and diffusion time on measurements and models of short-range 3He gas MR diffusion". JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2014; 239:139-42. [PMID: 24314822 PMCID: PMC3923313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2013.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In a recently published paper by Parra-Robles and Wild, the authors challenge the in vivo lung morphometry technique (based on hyperpolarized gas diffusion MRI) developed by our Washington University research group. In this Commentary we demonstrate that the main conclusion of Parra-Robles and Wild, that our MRI-based lung morphometry technique "produces inaccurate estimates of the airway dimensions", does not have any scientific basis and is not in agreement with the considerable body of peer-reviewed scientific reports as well as with Parra-Robles and Wild's own data. On the contrary, our technique has a strong theoretical background, is validated, and provides accurate 3D tomographic information on lung microstructural parameters previously available only from invasive biopsy specimens. This technique has already produced a number of results related to lung morphology and function that were not previously available. In our Commentary we also discuss a number of other incorrect statements in and shortcomings of Parra-Robles and Wild's paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark S Conradi
- Department of Physics, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Radiology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
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12
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Parra-Robles J, Wild JM. Response to Commentary on "The influence of lung airways branching structure and diffusion time on measurements and models of short-range 3He gas MR diffusion". JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2014; 239:143-146. [PMID: 24342570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2013.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Our extensive investigation of the cylinder model theory through numerical modelling and purpose-designed experiments has demonstrated that it does produce inaccurate estimates of airway dimensions at all diffusion times currently used. This is due to a variety of effects: incomplete treatment of non-Gaussian effects, finite airway size, branching geometry, background susceptibility gradients and diffusion time dependence of the (3)He MR diffusion behaviour in acinar airways. The cylinder model is a good starting point for the development of a lung morphometry technique from (3)He diffusion MR but its limitations need to be understood and documented in the interest of reliable clinical interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Parra-Robles
- Unit of Academic Radiology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Jim M Wild
- Unit of Academic Radiology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Six JS, Hughes-Riley T, Lilburn DM, Dorkes AC, Stupic KF, Shaw DE, Morris PG, Hall IP, Pavlovskaya GE, Meersmann T. Pulmonary MRI contrast using Surface Quadrupolar Relaxation (SQUARE) of hyperpolarized (83)Kr. Magn Reson Imaging 2014; 32:48-53. [PMID: 24144493 PMCID: PMC3898897 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hyperpolarized (83)Kr has previously been demonstrated to enable MRI contrast that is sensitive to the chemical composition of the surface in a porous model system. Methodological advances have lead to a substantial increase in the (83)Kr hyperpolarization and the resulting signal intensity. Using the improved methodology for spin exchange optical pumping of isotopically enriched (83)Kr, internal anatomical details of ex vivo rodent lung were resolved with hyperpolarized (83)Kr MRI after krypton inhalation. Different (83)Kr relaxation times were found between the main bronchi and the parenchymal regions in ex vivo rat lungs. The T1 weighted hyperpolarized (83)Kr MRI provided a first demonstration of surface quadrupolar relaxation (SQUARE) pulmonary MRI contrast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S. Six
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Theodore Hughes-Riley
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - David M.L. Lilburn
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alan C. Dorkes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Karl F. Stupic
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Dominick E. Shaw
- Nottingham Respiratory Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Peter G. Morris
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ian P. Hall
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Galina E. Pavlovskaya
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Thomas Meersmann
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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Liszewski MC, Hersman FW, Altes TA, Ohno Y, Ciet P, Warfield SK, Lee EY. Magnetic resonance imaging of pediatric lung parenchyma, airways, vasculature, ventilation, and perfusion: state of the art. Radiol Clin North Am 2013; 51:555-82. [PMID: 23830786 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a noninvasive imaging modality, particularly attractive for pediatric patients given its lack of ionizing radiation. Despite many advantages, the physical properties of the lung (inherent low signal-to-noise ratio, magnetic susceptibility differences at lung-air interfaces, and respiratory and cardiac motion) have posed technical challenges that have limited the use of MR imaging in the evaluation of thoracic disease in the past. However, recent advances in MR imaging techniques have overcome many of these challenges. This article discusses these advances in MR imaging techniques and their potential role in the evaluation of thoracic disorders in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Liszewski
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 330 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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15
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Lilburn DM, Pavlovskaya GE, Meersmann T. Perspectives of hyperpolarized noble gas MRI beyond 3He. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2013; 229:173-86. [PMID: 23290627 PMCID: PMC3611600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2012.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) studies with hyperpolarized (hp) noble gases are at an exciting interface between physics, chemistry, materials science and biomedical sciences. This paper intends to provide a brief overview and outlook of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hp noble gases other than hp (3)He. A particular focus are the many intriguing experiments with (129)Xe, some of which have already matured to useful MRI protocols, while others display high potential for future MRI applications. Quite naturally for MRI applications the major usage so far has been for biomedical research but perspectives for engineering and materials science studies are also provided. In addition, the prospects for surface sensitive contrast with hp (83)Kr MRI is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Meersmann
- University of Nottingham, School of Clinical Sciences, Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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16
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Parra-Robles J, Wild JM. The influence of lung airways branching structure and diffusion time on measurements and models of short-range 3He gas MR diffusion. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2012; 225:102-113. [PMID: 23159820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Hyperpolarized (3)He diffusion experiments have been shown to be sensitive to changes in acinar structure due to emphysematous lung disease. Extracting quantitative information about lung microstructure from the diffusion signal is complicated due its dependence on a number of factors including diffusion time and the complex branching acinar geometry. A theoretical model (cylinder model) has been proposed as a means of estimating acinar airway dimensions from measured diffusivities. This model assumes that the effects of acinar branching geometry and finite airway length upon (3)He diffusion behaviour are negligible. In this work, we use finite element simulations of diffusion in a model of branching alveolar ducts to investigate in detail the effects of acinar branching structure and finite airway length on short-range (3)He diffusion measurements. The results show that branching effects have a significant influence upon (3)He diffusivity, even at short diffusion times. The expressions of the cylinder model theory do not account for significant dependences upon diffusion time, branching geometry and airway length, as a consequence of the oversimplified geometrical model used. The effect of diffusion time on (3)He ADC was also investigated through experiments with healthy human volunteers. The results demonstrate that the cylinder model can produce inaccurate estimates of the airway dimensions as a consequence of incompletely accounting for the diffusion-time dependence in the model equations and confirmed the predicted limitations of the cylinder model for reliable lung morphometry measurements. The results and models presented in this work may help in the development of a more realistic theoretical framework for 'in vivo lung morphometry' using (3)He diffusion MR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Parra-Robles
- Unit of Academic Radiology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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17
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Kotecha SJ, Dunstan FD, Kotecha S. Long term respiratory outcomes of late preterm-born infants. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2012; 17:77-81. [PMID: 22277112 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the rate of preterm births has risen in many industrialised countries with late preterm births forming a substantial proportion of the preterm births. Late preterm infants are delivered at the immature saccular stage of lung development when surfactant and antioxidant systems are still developing. It is now increasingly recognised that late preterm infants have increased respiratory morbidity in the neonatal period. In addition, late preterm infants are at an increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections in infancy from respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus. There is a paucity of data reporting lung function in infancy and childhood in late preterm born children. The available data suggest that children born late preterm may be at risk of decreased lung function in later life. However, further studies are required to assess the medium and long term respiratory consequences of late preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Kotecha
- Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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18
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Parra-Robles J, Ajraoui S, Marshall H, Deppe MH, Xu X, Wild JM. The influence of field strength on the apparent diffusion coefficient of 3He gas in human lungs. Magn Reson Med 2011; 67:322-5. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.23187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Quirk JD, Lutey BA, Gierada DS, Woods JC, Senior RM, Lefrak SS, Sukstanskii AL, Conradi MS, Yablonskiy DA. In vivo detection of acinar microstructural changes in early emphysema with (3)He lung morphometry. Radiology 2011; 260:866-74. [PMID: 21734160 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.11102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantitatively characterize early emphysematous changes in the lung microstructure of current and former smokers with noninvasive helium 3 ((3)He) lung morphometry and to compare these results with the clinical standards, pulmonary function testing (PFT) and low-dose computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the local institutional review board, and all subjects provided informed consent. Thirty current and former smokers, each with a minimum 30-pack-year smoking history and mild or no abnormalities at PFT, underwent (3)He lung morphometry. This technique is based on diffusion MR imaging with hyperpolarized (3)He gas and yields quantitative localized in vivo measurements of acinar airway geometric parameters, such as airway radii, alveolar depth, and number of alveoli per unit lung volume. These measurements enable calculation of standard morphometric characteristics, such as mean linear intercept and surface-to-volume ratio. RESULTS Noninvasive (3)He lung morphometry was used to detect alterations in acinar structure in smokers with normal PFT findings. When compared with smokers with the largest forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had significantly reduced alveolar depth (0.07 mm vs 0.13 mm) and enlarged acinar ducts (0.36 mm vs 0.3 mm). The mean alveolar geometry measurements in the healthiest subjects were in excellent quantitative agreement with literature values obtained by using invasive techniques (acinar duct radius, 0.3 mm; alveolar depth, 0.14 mm at 1 L above functional residual capacity). (3)He lung morphometry depicted greater abnormalities than did PFT and CT. No adverse events were associated with inhalation of (3)He gas. CONCLUSION (3)He lung morphometry yields valuable noninvasive insight into early emphysematous changes in alveolar geometry with increased sensitivity compared with conventional techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Quirk
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave, Campus Box 8227, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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20
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Sukstanskii AL, Yablonskiy DA. Lung morphometry with hyperpolarized 129Xe: theoretical background. Magn Reson Med 2011; 67:856-66. [PMID: 21713985 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.23056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The (3) He lung morphometry technique, based on MRI measurements of hyperpolarized (3) He gas diffusion in lung airspaces, provides unique information on the lung microstructure at the alveolar level. In vivo 3D tomographic images of standard morphological parameters (airspace chord length, lung parenchyma surface-to-volume ratio, and number of alveoli per unit volume) can be generated from a rather short (several seconds) MRI scan. The technique is based on a theory of gas diffusion in lung acinar airways and experimental measurements of diffusion-attenuated MRI signal. The present work aims at developing the theoretical background of a similar technique based on hyperpolarized (129) Xe gas. As the diffusion coefficient and gyromagnetic ratio of (129) Xe gas are substantially different from those of (3) He gas, the specific details of the theory and experimental measurements with (129) Xe should be amended. We establish phenomenological relationships between acinar airway geometrical parameters and the diffusion-attenuated MR signal for human and small animal lungs, both normal lungs and lungs with mild emphysema. Optimal diffusion times are shown to be about 5 ms for human and 1.3 ms for small animals. The expected uncertainties in measuring main morphometrical parameters of the lungs are estimated in the framework of Bayesian probability theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Sukstanskii
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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