Dynamic pulmonary perfusion and flow quantification with MR imaging, 3.0T vs. 1.5T: initial results.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and relative performance of pulmonary time-resolved MR angiography (MRA) and pulmonary artery (PA) flow quantification at 3.0T vs. 1.5T.


METHODS
Time-resolved contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA of the pulmonary circulation, and flow quantification of the main PA (MPA) were performed in 14 consecutive adult healthy volunteers at both 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla with nearly identical sequence parameters. Image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and quantitative indices of pulmonary perfusion, flow, and velocity were evaluated and compared at both field strengths.


RESULTS
Time-resolved pulmonary MRA, perfusion, and flow quantification were successfully performed at both magnetic fields. The results of pulmonary perfusion and flow indices were comparable at both magnetic fields, with no statistically significant difference. The SNR values for vascular structures were higher at 3.0T vs. 1.5T (P = 0.001). The SNR values and the definition scores for parenchymal enhancement were significantly lower (P = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively) at 3.0T.


CONCLUSIONS
Time-resolved pulmonary MRA, perfusion, and flow quantification at 3.0T was feasible, with comparable results to 1.5T. The lower parenchymal enhancement at 3.0T is believed to reflect increased susceptibility effects at higher magnetic fields. Further work is needed to fully exploit the potential of pulmonary perfusion imaging at 3.0T and to address the current limitations.
Nael
Kambiz
K
Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California 90095-7206, USA. nkambiz@mednet.ucla.edu
Michaely
Henrik J
HJ
Lee
Margaret
M
Goldin
Jonathan
J
Laub
Gerhard
G
Finn
J Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA