title: Perfluoropropane gas as a magnetic resonance lung imaging contrast agent in humans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fluorine-enhanced MRI is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward technique that facilitates regional assessments of pulmonary ventilation. In this report, we assess its suitability through the use of perfluoropropane (PFP) in a cohort of human subjects with normal lungs and subjects with lung disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight subjects between the ages of 18 and 71 years were recruited for imaging and were classified based on spirometry findings and medical history. Imaging was carried out on a Siemens TIM Trio 3T MRI scanner using two-dimensional, gradient echo, fast low-angle shot and three-dimensional gradient echo, volumetric, interpolated, breath-hold examination sequences for proton localizers and PFP functional scans, respectively. Respiratory waveforms and physiologic signals of interest were monitored throughout the imaging sessions. A region-growing algorithm was applied to the proton localizers to define the lung field of view for analysis of the PFP scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects tolerated the gas mixture well with no adverse side effects. Images of healthy lungs demonstrated a homogeneous distribution of the gas with sufficient signal-to-noise ratios, while lung images from asthmatic and emphysematous lungs demonstrated increased heterogeneity and ventilation defects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluorine-enhanced MRI using a normoxic PFP gas mixture is a well-tolerated, radiation-free technique for regionally assessing pulmonary ventilation. The inherent physical characteristics and applicability of the gaseous agent within a magnetic resonance setting facilitated a clear differentiation between normal and diseased lungs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Durham NC; Department of Radiology, Duke Image Analysis Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC.
authors.forename: Ahmed F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Halaweish
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Durham NC; Department of Anesthesiology, GVTU Division, Durham NC.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Durham NC.
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Durham NC.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Soher
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Division of Chest Radiology, Durham NC.
authors.forename: H Page
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: McAdams
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Durham NC.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: MacFall
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Durham NC; Department of Radiology, Duke Image Analysis Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC.
authors.forename: Maureen D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ainslie
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Durham NC.
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: MacIntyre
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Durham NC; Department of Radiology, Duke Image Analysis Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC. Electronic address: cecil.charles@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: H Cecil
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Charles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren