Ventilation and Perfusion Defects on Phase-Resolved Functional Lung (PREFUL) MRI Predict Silicosis Progression: A Prospective Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is an occupational lung disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. As it is irreversible, early identification of high-risk individuals is clinically important, but biomarkers for progression remain lacking. PURPOSE: To determine whether ventilation and perfusion defects quantified by phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI can predict silicosis progression. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: Thirty participants with silicosis (29 males and 1 female) and 30 healthy controls (29 males and 1 female). SEQUENCE: 2D spoiled gradient echo, 3.0 T. ASSESSMENT: All participants underwent baseline PREFUL MRI, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and chest CT, with quantitative calculation of ventilation defect percentages (VDP(RVent) and VDP(FVL-CM)) and perfusion defect percentage (QDP). Silicosis was followed for 1 year with assessments including forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC% predicted), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide percent predicted (DL(co)% predicted), symptoms, and CT. Disease progression was defined by any two of: (a) CT evidence of progression, (b) worsening symptoms, or (c)

• Ouyang, T.
• Wang, Y.
• Zhang, H.
• Voskrebenzev, A.
• Vogel-Claussen, J.
• Ye, Q.
• Yang, Q.