Abstract
ObjectivesMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest has long suffered from its sensitivity to respiratory and cardiac motion with an intrinsically low signal to noise ratio and a limited spatial resolution. The purpose of this study was to perform chest MRI under an adapted non invasive pulsatile flow ventilation system (high frequency percussive ventilation, HFPV®) allowing breath hold durations 10 to 15 times longer than other existing systems.MethodsOne volunteer and one patient known for a thymic lesion underwent a chest MRI under ventilation percussion technique (VP-MR). Routinely used sequences were performed with and without the device during three sets of apnoea on inspiration.ResultsVP-MR was well tolerated in both cases. The mean duration of the thoracic stabilization was 10.5 min (range 8.5–12) and 5.8 min (range 5–6.2) for Volunteer 1 and Patient 1, respectively. An overall increased image quality was seen under VP-MR with a better delineation of the mediastinal lesion for Patient 1. Nodules discovered in Volunteer 1 were confirmed with low dose CT.ConclusionVP-MR was feasible and increased spatial resolution of chest MRI by allowing acquisition at full inspiration during thoracic stabilization approaching prolonged apnoea. This new technique could be of benefit to numerous thoracic disorders.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a radiation-free technique, has long suffered from the low proton density and high magnetic susceptibility of the lungs [1]
VP-MR was well tolerated in both cases
The HFPV1 was obtained via a Transrespirator1, (Percussionaire1 Corporation; Idaho, USA)
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a radiation-free technique, has long suffered from the low proton density and high magnetic susceptibility of the lungs [1]. These characteristics explain the intrinsically low signal to noise ratio and limited spatial resolution with a great sensitivity to respiratory and cardiac motions, that are most prominent in the lower and anterior sections of the chest [2]. Dedicated techniques for respiratory motion compensation have been developed, including respiratory belts, navigator [3] and most recently 3D free-breathing isotropic radial sequences with motion compensation [4]. Sequences with parallel acquisition techniques have been developed, limitation in spatial resolution still remains, suggesting the need for developing novel approaches to suppress respiratory artefacts
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