Evaluation of lung volumetry using dynamic three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate lung volume and surface measurements during the breathing cycle using dynamic three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI).


METHODS
Breathing cycles of 20 healthy volunteers were examined using a 2D trueFISP sequence (3 images/second) in combination with a model and segmented 3D FLASH sequence (1 image/second) MR images using view sharing. Segmentation was performed semiautomatically using an interactive region growing technique. Vital capacity (VC) was calculated from MRI using the model (2D) and counting the voxels (3D) and was compared with spirometry.


RESULTS
VC from spirometry was 4.9+/-0.9 L, 4.4+/-1.2 L from 2D MRI measurement, and 4.7+/-0.9 L for 3D MRI. Using the 3D technique, correlation to spirometry was higher than using the 2D technique (r>0.95 vs. r>0.83). Using the 3D technique, split lung volumes and lung surface could be calculated. There was a significant difference between the left and right lung volume in expiration (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic 3D MRI is a noninvasive tool to evaluate split lung volumes and lung surfaces during the breathing cycle with a high correlation to spirometry.
Plathow
Christian
C
Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. c.plathow@dkfz.de
Schoebinger
Max
M
Fink
Christian
C
Ley
Sebastian
S
Puderbach
Michael
M
Eichinger
Monika
M
Bock
Michael
M
Meinzer
Hans-Peter
HP
Kauczor
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D013147:Spirometry; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014797:Vital Capacity