Abstract #0549

Imaging of Lung Micromechanics with Hyperpolarized Gas Diffusion MRI: Regional Compliance

Yi Xin¹, Kiarash Emami¹, Stephen J. Kadlecek¹, Puttisarn Mongkolwisetwara¹, Nicholas N. Kuzma¹, Harilla Profka¹, Yinan Xu¹, Hooman Hamedani¹, Benjamin M. Pullinger¹, Rajat K. Ghosh¹, Jennia N. Rajaei¹, Stephen Pickup¹, Masaru Ishii², Rahim R. Rizi¹

¹Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; ²OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

Measurements of ³He apparent diffusion coefficient as a function of lung inflation level reveal a more drastic relative increase in regional ADC values at lung pressures above 12 cmH₂O in an elastase model of rat emphysema compared to the healthy animals. This altered ADC imaging protocol can potentially serve as a sensitive marker for changes in regional lung compliance induced by lung diseases such as emphysema.