Evaluation of chest motion and volumetry during the breathing cycle by dynamic MRI in healthy subjects: comparison with pulmonary function tests.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate diaphragm and chest wall motion during the whole breathing cycle using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a volumetric model in correlation with spirometry.


METHODS
Breathing cycles of 15 healthy volunteers were examined using a trueFISP sequence (5 slices in 3 planes, 3 images per second). Time-distance curves were calculated and correlated to spirometry. A model for vital capacity (VC), continuous time-dependent vital capacity (tVC), and investigating the influence of horizontal and vertical parameters on tVC was introduced.


RESULTS
Time-distance curves of the breathing cycle using MRI correlated highly significant with spirometry (P < 0.0001). VC calculated by the model was similar to VC measured in spirometry (5.00 L vs. 5.15 L). tVC correlated highly significantly with spirometry (P < 0.0001). Vertical parameters had a more profound influence on tVC change than horizontal parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic MRI is a simple noninvasive method to evaluate local chest wall motion and respiratory mechanics. It widens the repertoire of tools for lung examination with a high temporal resolution.
Plathow
Christian
C
Department of Radiology, Therapy, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. c.plathow@dkfz.de
Ley
Sebastian
S
Fink
Christian
C
Puderbach
Michael
M
Heilmann
Melanie
M
Zuna
Ivan
I
Kauczor
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D012016:Reference Values; D012119:Respiration; D013147:Spirometry; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity