title: Distal airways in humans: dynamic hyperpolarized 3He MR imaging--feasibility.
abstract: Dynamic hyperpolarized helium 3 (3He) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the human airways is achieved by using a fast gradient-echo pulse sequence during inhalation. The resulting dynamic images show differential contrast enhancement of both distal airways and the lung periphery, unlike static hyperpolarized 3He MR images on which only the lung periphery is seen. With this technique, up to seventh-generation airway branching can be visualized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tooker
authors.forename: Kwan Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: McKinstry
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: Ferenc A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Jolesz
authors.forename: Mitchell S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D006371:Helium