MRI scanning method enhances understanding of lung function

The method uses a special gas, perfluoropropane, which can be safely inhaled by patients. Once inside the lungs, MRI scans capture how the gas disperses, pinpointing areas of effective and poor ventilation. This enables detailed analysis of lung function, as well as tracking the effects of treatments. 

Professor Pete Thelwall, Director of the Centre for In Vivo Imaging at Newcastle University, explains; "Our scans show where there is patchy ventilation in patients with lung disease, and show us which parts of the lung improve with treatment. For example, when we scan a patient as they use their asthma medication, we can see how much of their lungs and which parts of their lung are better able to move air in and out with each breath." 

By using this technique, researchers identified regions of the lungs that air cannot reach properly during breathing. This information allows healthcare professionals to: 

• Quantify the extent of ventilation issues 

• Assess the effectiveness of treatments, such as the bronchodilator salbutamol 

• Visualize ventilation defects in real-time 

The method’s utility was validated in studies involving asthma and COPD patients, with findings published in the journal Radiology. 

A second study, published in JHLT Open, focused on lung transplant recipients. Researchers developed the scanning method further to monitor lung function in transplant patients, particularly those experiencing chronic lung allograft dysfunction - a common form of rejection where the immune system attacks donor lungs. 

Professor Andrew Fisher, co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of early detection; “We hope this new type of scan might allow us to see changes in the transplant lungs earlier and before signs of damage are present in the usual blowing tests. This would allow any treatment to be started earlier and help protect the transplanted lungs from further damage.” 

The high sensitivity of this MRI method makes it a promising tool for managing lung diseases and monitoring transplant recipients. Early identification of changes in lung function could significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling timely adjustments to treatment plans. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Newcastle University