Frank Wolfram1, Daniel Güllmar2, Joachim Böttcher3, Harald Schubert4, Sabine Bischoff4, Jürgen R Reichenbach2, Thomas Günther Lesser5. 1. Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera, Teaching Hospital of Jena University Hospital, Strasse des Friedens 122, 07548, Gera, Germany. Frank.Wolfram@srh.de. 2. Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. 3. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera, Teaching Hospital of Jena University Hospital, Gera, Germany. 4. Institute of Animal Experimentation, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany. 5. Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera, Teaching Hospital of Jena University Hospital, Strasse des Friedens 122, 07548, Gera, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung remains challenging due to the low tissue density, susceptibility artefacts, unfavourable relaxation times and motion. Previously, we demonstrated in vivo that one-lung flooding (OLF) with saline is a viable and safe approach. This study investigates the feasibility of OLF in an MRI environment and evaluates the flooding process on MR images. METHODS: OLF of the left lung was performed on five animals using a porcine model. Before, during and after OLF, standard T2w and T1w spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GRE) sequences were applied at 3 T. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all animals. On T1w MRI, the flooded lung appeared homogenous and isointense with muscle tissue. On T2w images, vascular structures were highly hypointense, while the bronchi were clearly demarcated with hypointense wall and hyperintense lumen. The anatomical demarcation of the flooded lung from the surrounding organs was superior on T2w images. No outflow effects were seen, and no respiration triggering was required. DISCUSSION: OLF can be safely performed in an MR scanner with highly detailed visualization of the pulmonary structures on T2w images. The method provides new approaches to MRI-based image-guided pulmonary interventions using the presented experimental model.
OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung remains challenging due to the low tissue density, susceptibility artefacts, unfavourable relaxation times and motion. Previously, we demonstrated in vivo that one-lung flooding (OLF) with saline is a viable and safe approach. This study investigates the feasibility of OLF in an MRI environment and evaluates the flooding process on MR images. METHODS: OLF of the left lung was performed on five animals using a porcine model. Before, during and after OLF, standard T2w and T1w spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GRE) sequences were applied at 3 T. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all animals. On T1w MRI, the flooded lung appeared homogenous and isointense with muscle tissue. On T2w images, vascular structures were highly hypointense, while the bronchi were clearly demarcated with hypointense wall and hyperintense lumen. The anatomical demarcation of the flooded lung from the surrounding organs was superior on T2w images. No outflow effects were seen, and no respiration triggering was required. DISCUSSION: OLF can be safely performed in an MR scanner with highly detailed visualization of the pulmonary structures on T2w images. The method provides new approaches to MRI-based image-guided pulmonary interventions using the presented experimental model.
Authors: Marcia Costa; Carolina Fernandes; Matt Eames; Arik Hananel; John P Mugler; Jhosep Huaromo; Jack B Yang; Jaime Mata Journal: Tomography Date: 2022-09-03