Cystic fibrosis:: Combined hyperpolarized 3He-enhanced and conventional proton MR imaging in the lung -: Preliminary observations

Four patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were examined with combined hyperpolarized helium 3-enhanced and conventional proton magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. After inhalation of the polarized He-3 gas, single breath-hold, gradient-echo images (resonant frequency of He-3) were obtained to depict lung ventilation. Conventional T2-weighted fast spin-echo (hydrogen) images were also obtained to depict morphologic abnormalities. He-3 images were successfully and reproducibly generated that showed both morphologic abnormalities and, often more extensive, ventilation abnormalities. He-3 MR imaging may provide a method for evaluating progression of pulmonary disease in patients with CF.