APPLICATION OF A 3D VOLUME F-19 MR-IMAGING PROTOCOL FOR MAPPING OXYGEN-TENSION (PO(2)) IN PERFLUOROCARBONS AT LOW-FIELD

A limited flip angle gradient-echo 3D volume acquisition imaging proto col for mapping partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) in perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs) at tow field (0.14 T) is presented. The pO(2) measure ment method is based on the paramagnetic effect of dissolved molecular oxygen (O-2) which reduces the PFC F-19 T-1. Specific objectives rela ted to imaging of PFCs through use of the protocol include improved im age signal-to-noise characteristics and elimination of F-19 chemical s hift artifacts. A parametric Wiener deconvolution filtering algorithm is used for suppression of F-19 chemical shift artifacts. Application of the protocol is illustrated in a series of calculated pO(2) maps of a gas equilibrated, multi-chamber phantom containing perfluorotributy lamine (FC-43). The utility of the protocol is demonstrated in vivo th rough images of a commercially available perfluorocarbon based blood s ubstitute emulsion containing FC-43 sequestered in the liver and splee n of a rat.