Quantitative assessment of regional pulmonary perfusion in the entire lung using three-dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: Preliminary experience in 40 subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess regional differences in quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameters, i.e., pulmonary blood flow (PBF), mean transit time (MTT), and pulmonary blood volume (PBV) in the entire lung on a pixel-by-pixel basis in normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients.


METHODS
Three-dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 15 normal volunteers and 25 patients with pulmonary hypertension. From the signal intensity-time course curves, PBF, MTT and PBV maps were generated using deconvolution analysis, indicator dilution theories, and the central volume principle, on a pixel-by-pixel basis. From pulmonary perfusion parameter maps of normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients, regional PBF, MTT, and PBV were statistically evaluated.


RESULTS
Regional PBF, MTT, and PBV showed significant differences in the gravitational and isogravitational directions (P < 0.05). The quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameter maps demonstrated significant differences between normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging is feasible for the assessment of regional quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameters in the entire lung on a pixel-by-pixel basis in normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients.
Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. yosirad@med.kobe-u.ac.jp
Yoshiharu
Y
Ohno
Hiroto
H
Hatabu
Kenya
K
Murase
Takanori
T
Higashino
Hideaki
H
Kawamitsu
Hirokazu
H
Watanabe
Daisuke
D
Takenaka
Masahiko
M
Fujii
Kazuro
K
Sugimura
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA