Hyperpolarized He-3-enhanced MR imaging of lung transplant recipients: Preliminary results

OBJECTIVE. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is the major cause of long-ter m graft failure in lung transplant recipients and may be partially reversib le if diagnosed early and treated. Diagnosis is difficult because findings of transbronchial biopsy are often negative in patients with early disease. We are investigating a novel MR ventilation agent, hyperpolarized He-3, fo r evaluating ventilatory abnormalities in lung transplant recipients with s uspected bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. CONCLUSION. In this preliminary study, the extent of ventilatory defects re vealed on He-3-enhanced MR images correlated with severity of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome using an established clinical grading system. This new technique may hold potential for diagnosing bronchiolitis obliterans syndr ome in lung transplant recipients.