MR virtual colonography using hyperpolarized He-3 as an endoluminal contrast agent: Demonstration of feasibility

Hyperpolarized gas MR virtual colonography was performed in plastic phantom s and in the dog colon. He-3 was laser polarized in a prototype commercial system. 2D and 3D gradient echo sequences were used to image the noble gas- filled structures. The hyperpolarized 3He within the plastic tube and colon lumen produced high signal, providing excellent contrast from the surround ing structures. The virtual colonoscopic analysis of the canine dataset all owed visualization of the colonic features and the colonic wall from inside the colon. 3He colonoscopy is a novel technique to visualize the colon wit h MRI with the application of an inert gaseous endoluminal contrast agent. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.