P. Haage et al., Mechanical delivery of aerosolized gadolinium-DTPA for pulmonary ventilation assessment in MR imaging, INV RADIOL, 36(4), 2001, pp. 240-243
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. TO evaluate a new technique with mechanical admin
istration of aerosolized gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA for MR visualization of lung
ventilation,
METHODS, Ten experimental procedures were performed in six domestic pigs, G
d-DTPA was aerosolized by a small-particle generator. The intubated animals
were mechanically aerosolized with the nebulized contrast agent and studie
d on a 1.5-T MR imager, Respiratory gated T1-weighted turbo spin-echo image
s were obtained before, during, and after contrast administration. Pulmonar
y signal intensity (SD changes were calculated for corresponding regions of
both lungs. Homogeneity of aerosol distribution was graded independently b
y two radiologists,
RESULTS, TO achieve a comparable SI increase as attained in previous trials
that used manual aerosol ventilation, a ventilation period of 20 minutes (
formerly 30 minutes) was sufficient. Mean SI changes of 116% were observed
after that duration. Contrast delivery was rated evenly distributed in all
cases by the reviewers.
CONCLUSIONS, The feasibility of applying Gd-DTPA as a contrast agent to dem
onstrate pulmonary ventilation in large animals has been described before,
The results of this refined technique substantiate the potential of Gd-base
d ventilation MR imaging by improving aerosol distribution and shortening t
he nebulization duration in the healthy lung.