Ulrich Flgel1, Bernd Ebner, Patrick Behm, Jrgen Schrader
1Institut fr Herz- und Kreislaufphysiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universitt Dsseldorf, Dsseldorf, NRW, Germany
This study was aimed at developing a new approach for the early in vivo detection of inflammation associated with LPS-induced pneumonia in mice. As contrast agent emulsified perfluorocarbons (PFCs) were used, which are biochemically inert and are known to be phagocytized by monocytes/macrophages. The results show that intravenously applied PFCs accumulate in inflamed areas of the mouse lung und can be sensitively detected by 1H/19F MRI at a field strength of 9.4 T. Due to the lack of any 19F background, the observed signals exhibit a high degree of specificity for areas affected by inflammation.
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