RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the repeatability of global and regional lung ventilation quantification in both healthy subjects and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using fluorinated ((19)F) gas washout magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in free breathing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective institutional review board-approved study, 12 healthy nonsmokers and eight COPD patients were examined with (19)F dynamic gas washout MR imaging in free breathing and with lung function testing. Measurements were repeated within 2 weeks. Lung ventilation was quantified using (19)F gas washout time. Repeatability was analyzed for the total lung and on a regional basis using the coefficient of variation (COV) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: In healthy subjects and COPD patients, a good repeatability was found for lung ventilation quantification using dynamic (19)F gas washout MR imaging on a global (COV < 8%) and regional (COV < 15%) level. Gas washout time was significantly increased in the COPD group compared to the healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: (19)F gas washout MR imaging provides a good repeatability of lung ventilation quantification and appears to be sensitive to early changes of regional lung function alterations such as normal aging.
- Gutberlet, M.
- Kaireit, T. F.
- Voskrebenzev, A.
- Kern, A. L.
- Obert, A.
- Wacker, F.
- Hohlfeld, J. M.
- Vogel-Claussen, J.
Keywords
- (19)f
- Copd
- Fluorine
- Gas washout
- Lung
- Magnetic resonance
- Pulmonary
