Nicholas J. Tustison1,
Alicia Muratore1, Benjamin Contrella1, John P. Mugler,
III1, Eduard E. De Lange1, Talissa A. Altes1
1Department
of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,
VA, United States
We compare hyperpolarized He-3 and Xe-129 imaging in patients with cystic fibrosis patients. Computational assessment demonstrates increased ventilation in the He-3 images with a possible explanation being that the higher diffusivity of helium-3 allows more helium than xenon to enter regions of partial airflow obstruction, while areas with complete airflow obstruction appear the same.