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Genkin D, Zanette B, Grzela P, Benkert T, Subbarao P, Moraes TJ, Katz S, Ratjen F, Santyr G, Kirby M. Semiautomated Segmentation and Analysis of Airway Lumen in Pediatric Patients Using Ultra Short Echo Time MRI. Acad Radiol 2024; 31:648-659. [PMID: 37550154 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Ultra short echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequences have shown promise for airway assessment, but the feasibility and repeatability in the pediatric lung are unknown. The purpose of this work was to develop a semiautomated UTE MRI airway segmentation pipeline from the trachea-to-tertiary airways in pediatric participants and assess repeatability and lumen diameter correlations to lung function. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 29 participants (n = 7 healthy, n = 11 cystic fibrosis, n = 6 asthma, and n = 5 ex-preterm), aged 7-18 years, were imaged using a 3D stack-of-spirals UTE examination at 3 T. Two independent observers performed airway segmentations using a pipeline developed in-house; observer 1 repeated segmentations 1 month later. Segmentations were extracted using region-growing with leak detection, then manually edited if required. The airway trees were skeletonized, pruned, and labeled. Airway lumen diameter measurements were extracted using ray casting. Intra- and interobserver variability was assessed using the Sørensen-Dice coefficient (DSC) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlations between lumen diameter and pulmonary function were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS For airway segmentations and lumen diameter, intra- and interobserver DSCs were 0.88 and 0.80, while ICCs were 0.95 and 0.89, respectively. The variability increased from the trachea-to-tertiary airways for intra- (DSC: 0.91-0.64; ICC: 0.91-0.49) and interobserver (DSC: 0.84-0.51; ICC: 0.89-0.21) measurements. Lumen diameter was significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity (P < .05). CONCLUSION UTE MRI airway segmentation from the trachea-to-tertiary airways in pediatric participants across a range of diseases is feasible. The UTE MRI-derived lumen measurements were repeatable and correlated with lung function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Genkin
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada (D.G.)
| | - Brandon Zanette
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.)
| | - Patrick Grzela
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.)
| | - Thomas Benkert
- MR Application Predevelopment, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany (T.B.)
| | - Padmaja Subbarao
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (P.S., T.J.M., F.R.)
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (P.S., T.J.M., F.R.)
| | - Sherri Katz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada (S.K.); Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada (S.K.)
| | - Felix Ratjen
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (P.S., T.J.M., F.R.)
| | - Giles Santyr
- Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada (B.Z., P.G., P.S., T.J.M., F.R., G.S.); Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (G.S.)
| | - Miranda Kirby
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Kerr Hall South Bldg., Room KHS-344, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada (M.K.).
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Alam FS, Zanette B, Munidasa S, Braganza S, Li D, Woods JC, Ratjen F, Santyr G. Intra- and Inter-visit Repeatability of 129 Xenon Multiple-Breath Washout MRI in Children With Stable Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 58:936-948. [PMID: 36786650 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple-breath washout (MBW) 129 Xe MRI (MBW Xe-MRI) is a promising technique for following pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease progression. However, its repeatability in stable CF needs to be established to use it as an outcome measure for novel therapies. PURPOSE To assess intravisit and intervisit repeatability of MBW Xe-MRI in healthy and CF children. STUDY TYPE Prospective, longitudinal cohort study. SUBJECTS A total of 18 pediatric subjects (7 healthy, 11 CF). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 3 T/2D coronal hyperpolarized (HP) 129 Xe images using GRE sequence. ASSESSMENT All subjects completed MBW Xe-MRI, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (spirometry, nitrogen [N2 ] MBW for lung clearance index [LCI]) and ventilation defect percent (VDP) at baseline (visit 1) and 1-month after. Fractional ventilation (FV), coefficient of variation (CoVFV ) maps were calculated from MBW Xe-MRI data acquired between intervening air washout breaths performed after an initial xenon breath-hold. Skewness of FV and CoVFV map distributions was also assessed. STATISTICAL TESTS Repeatability: intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), within-subject coefficient of variation (CV%), repeatability coefficient (CR). Agreement: Bland-Altman. For correlations between MBW Xe-MRI, VDP and PFTs: Spearman's correlation. Significance threshold: P < 0.05. RESULTS For FV, intravisit median [IQR] ICC was high in both healthy (0.94 [0.48, 0.99]) and CF (0.83 [0.04, 0.97]) subjects. CoVFV also had good intravisit ICC in healthy (0.92 [0.42, 0.99]) and CF (0.79 [0.02, 0.96]) subjects. Similarly, for FV, intervisit ICC was high in health (0.94 [0.68, 0.99]) and CF (0.89 [0.61, 0.97]). CoVFV also had good intervisit ICC in health (0.92 [0.42, 0.99]) and CF (0.78 [0.26, 0.94]). FV had better intervisit repeatability than VDP. CoVFV correlated significantly with LCI (R = 0.56). Skewness of FV distributions significantly distinguished between cohorts at baseline. DATA CONCLUSION MBW Xe-MRI had high intravisit and intervisit repeatability in healthy and stable CF subjects. CoVFV correlated with LCI, suggesting the importance of ventilation heterogeneity to early CF. EVIDENCE LEVEL 1. TECHNICAL EFFICACY Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiyza S Alam
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Zanette
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samal Munidasa
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon Braganza
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Li
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason C Woods
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Felix Ratjen
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Respirology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giles Santyr
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Zanette B, Greer MLC, Moraes TJ, Ratjen F, Santyr G. The argument for utilising magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for monitoring lung structure and function in pediatric patients. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:527-538. [PMID: 37491192 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2241355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although historically challenging to perform in the lung, technological advancements have made Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) increasingly applicable for pediatric pulmonary imaging. Furthermore, a wide array of functional imaging techniques has become available that may be leveraged alongside structural imaging for increasingly sensitive biomarkers, or as outcome measures in the evaluation of novel therapies. AREAS COVERED In this review, recent technical advancements and modern methodologies for structural and functional lung MRI are described. These include ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI, free-breathing contrast agent-free, functional lung MRI, and hyperpolarized gas MRI, amongst other techniques. Specific examples of the application of these methods in children are provided, principally drawn from recent research in asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and cystic fibrosis. EXPERT OPINION Pediatric lung MRI is rapidly growing, and is well poised for clinical utilization, as well as continued research into early disease detection, disease processes, and novel treatments. Structure/function complementarity makes MRI especially attractive as a tool for increased adoption in the evaluation of pediatric lung disease. Looking toward the future, novel technologies, such as low-field MRI and artificial intelligence, mitigate some of the traditional drawbacks of lung MRI and will aid in improving access to MRI in general, potentially spurring increased adoption and demand for pulmonary MRI in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Zanette
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary-Louise C Greer
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Felix Ratjen
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Giles Santyr
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Kooner HK, McIntosh MJ, Desaigoudar V, Rayment JH, Eddy RL, Driehuys B, Parraga G. Pulmonary functional MRI: Detecting the structure-function pathologies that drive asthma symptoms and quality of life. Respirology 2022; 27:114-133. [PMID: 35008127 PMCID: PMC10025897 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary functional MRI (PfMRI) using inhaled hyperpolarized, radiation-free gases (such as 3 He and 129 Xe) provides a way to directly visualize inhaled gas distribution and ventilation defects (or ventilation heterogeneity) in real time with high spatial (~mm3 ) resolution. Both gases enable quantitative measurement of terminal airway morphology, while 129 Xe uniquely enables imaging the transfer of inhaled gas across the alveolar-capillary tissue barrier to the red blood cells. In patients with asthma, PfMRI abnormalities have been shown to reflect airway smooth muscle dysfunction, airway inflammation and remodelling, luminal occlusions and airway pruning. The method is rapid (8-15 s), cost-effective (~$300/scan) and very well tolerated in patients, even in those who are very young or very ill, because unlike computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography and single-photon emission CT, there is no ionizing radiation and the examination takes only a few seconds. However, PfMRI is not without limitations, which include the requirement of complex image analysis, specialized equipment and additional training and quality control. We provide an overview of the three main applications of hyperpolarized noble gas MRI in asthma research including: (1) inhaled gas distribution or ventilation imaging, (2) alveolar microstructure and finally (3) gas transfer into the alveolar-capillary tissue space and from the tissue barrier into red blood cells in the pulmonary microvasculature. We highlight the evidence that supports a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of asthma worsening over time and the pathologies responsible for symptoms and disease control. We conclude with a summary of approaches that have the potential for integration into clinical workflows and that may be used to guide personalized treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harkiran K Kooner
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marrissa J McIntosh
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vedanth Desaigoudar
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan H Rayment
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rachel L Eddy
- Centre of Heart Lung Innovation, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bastiaan Driehuys
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Grace Parraga
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Safavi S, Dai R, Breton VL, Emmerson MN, Kowalik K, Lu Z, Lou W, Dubeau A, DeLorenzo S, Azad MB, Becker AB, Mandhane PJ, Turvey SE, Gustafsson P, Lefebvre DL, Sears MR, Moraes TJ, Subbarao P. Lung clearance index predicts persistence of preschool wheeze. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13713. [PMID: 34875116 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lung clearance index (LCI) is a measure of pulmonary function. Variable feasibility (50->80%) in preschool children has been reported. There are limited studies exploring its relationship to respiratory symptoms and how it predicts persistent wheeze. We aimed to assess the association with respiratory symptoms in preschool-aged children with LCI and determine its utility in predicting persistent wheeze. METHODS LCI was measured in a subcohort of the CHILD Cohort Study at age 3 years using SF6 multiple breath washout test mass spectrometry. Respiratory symptom phenotypes at age 3 were derived from children's respiratory symptoms reported by their parents. Responses were used to categorize children into 4 symptom groups: recurrent wheeze (3RW), recurrent cough (3RC), infrequent symptoms (IS), and no current symptoms (NCS). At age 5 years, these children were seen by a specialist clinician and assessed for persistent wheeze (PW). RESULTS At age 3 years, 69% (234/340) had feasible LCI. Excluding two children with missing data, 232 participants were categorized as follows: 33 (14%) 3RW; 28 (12%) 3RC; 17 (7%) IS; and 154 (66%) NCS. LCI z-score at age 3 years was highest in children with 3RW compared to 3RC (mean (SD): 1.14 (1.56) vs. 0.09 (0.95), p < .01), IS (mean (SD): -0.14 (0.59), p < .01), and NCS (mean (SD): -0.08 (1.06), p < .01). LCI z-score at age 3 was predictive of persistent wheeze at age 5 (PW) (AUROC: 0.87). CONCLUSIONS LCI at age 3 was strongly associated with recurrent wheeze at age 3, and predictive of its persistence to age 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahideh Safavi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruixue Dai
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa L Breton
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie N Emmerson
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krzysztof Kowalik
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zihang Lu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aimée Dubeau
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie DeLorenzo
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meghan B Azad
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Allan B Becker
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Piush J Mandhane
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- Department of Pediatrics, Child & Family Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Per Gustafsson
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Diana L Lefebvre
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Malcolm R Sears
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Padmaja Subbarao
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Agache I, Eguiluz‐Gracia I, Cojanu C, Laculiceanu A, Giacco S, Zemelka‐Wiacek M, Kosowska A, Akdis CA, Jutel M. Advances and highlights in asthma in 2021. Allergy 2021; 76:3390-3407. [PMID: 34392546 DOI: 10.1111/all.15054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Last year brought a significant advance in asthma management, unyielding to the pressure of the pandemics. Novel key findings in asthma pathogenesis focus on the resident cell compartment, epigenetics and the innate immune system. The precision immunology unbiased approach was supplemented with novel tools and greatly facilitated by the use of artificial intelligence. Several randomised clinical trials and good quality real-world evidence shed new light on asthma treatment and supported the revision of several asthma guidelines (GINA, Expert Panel Report 3, ERS/ATS guidelines on severe asthma) and the conception of new ones (EAACI Guidelines for the use of biologicals in severe asthma). Integrating asthma management within the broader context of Planetary Health has been put forward. In this review, recently published articles and clinical trials are summarised and discussed with the goal to provide clinicians and researchers with a concise update on asthma research from a translational perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine Transylvania University Brasov Romania
| | - Ibon Eguiluz‐Gracia
- Allergy Unit IBIMA‐Regional University Hospital of MalagaUMA, RETICS ARADyALBIONAND Malaga Spain
| | | | | | - Stefano Giacco
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health University of Cagliari Cagliari Italy
| | | | - Anna Kosowska
- Department of Clinical Immunology Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw Poland
- All‐MED Medical Research Institute Wroclaw Poland
| | - Cezmi A. Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw Poland
- All‐MED Medical Research Institute Wroclaw Poland
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