Feasibility of pulmonary ventilation visualization with aerosolized magnetic resonance contrast media.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate a new approach to noninvasive magnetic resonance assessment of human pulmonary ventilation with aerosolized Gd-DTPA.


METHODS
Fifteen experimental procedures were carried out in 15 healthy volunteers on a 1.5-T imager. For a timespan of 10 minutes, the subjects spontaneously inhaled a commercially available Gd-DTPA magnetic resonance contrast agent in aerosolized form through an inflatable facemask. Gd-DTPA was aerosolized by means of a small-particle generator with integrated heater to increase aerosol production. Respiratory gated dynamic T1-weighted turbo spin echo images were obtained before and after contrast agent aerosol administration. After nebulization, homogeneity of aerosol distribution was graded by 2 experienced readers and pulmonary signal intensity (SI) changes were measured in corresponding regions of both lungs.


RESULTS
Pulmonary ventilation visualization, and hence contrast agent delivery, was rated homogeneously distributed by both readers in 14 of 15 cases (93.3%) and slightly inhomogeneous in 1 case (6.7%). Pulmonary SI increased by an average of +37% +/- 8.5 (range, 10-48%). Allergic responses were not noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Human ventilation imaging with aerosolized gadolinium-chelates is viable. The presented modality might evolve as an alternative to current nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance image ventilation imaging procedures, avoiding radiation exposure while offering functional ventilation assessment with an acceptable temporal and spatial resolution. Nevertheless, further evaluation is required to define the potential of gadolinium-based ventilation magnetic resonance imaging in illustrating lung disease.
Haage
Patrick
P
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Technology Aachen, Aachen, Germany. haage@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Karaagac
Süleyman
S
Spüntrup
Elmar
E
Truong
Huu Tri
HT
Schmidt
Thorsten
T
Günther
Rolf W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000336:Aerosols; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA