title: 3He diffusion MRI of the lung.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MR imaging of the restricted diffusion of laser-polarized 3He gas provides unique insights into the changes in lung microstructure in emphysema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discuss measurements of ventilation (spin density), mean diffusivity, and the anisotropy of diffusion, which yields the mean acinar airway radius. In addition, the use of spatially modulated longitudinal magnetization allows diffusion to be measured over longer distances and times, with sensitivity to collateral ventilation paths. Early results are also presented for spin density and diffusivity maps made with a perfluorinated inert gas, C3F8.
  
  
  METHODS
  Techniques for purging and imaging excised lungs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA. msc@wuphys.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Conradi
authors.forename: Dmitriy A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Yablonskiy
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gierada
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Yulin V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Cliff K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Choong
authors.forename: Alex L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sukstanskii
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanoli
authors.forename: Stephen S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lefrak
authors.forename: Joel D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology