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MR imaging and spectroscopy using hyperpolarized 129 Xe gas: Preliminary human results
Author(s) -
Mugler John P.,
Driehuys Bastiaan,
Brookeman James R.,
Cates Gordon D.,
Berr Stuart S.,
Bryant Robert G.,
Daniel Thomas M.,
De Lange Eduard E.,
Downs J. Hunter,
Erickson Christopher J.,
Happer William,
Hinton Denise P.,
Kassel Neal F.,
Maier Therese,
Phillips C. Douglas,
Saam Brian T.,
Sauer Karen L.,
Wagshul Mark E.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1910370602
Subject(s) - xenon , polarization (electrochemistry) , nuclear magnetic resonance , spectroscopy , spectral line , chemistry , gas phase , materials science , nuclear medicine , physics , medicine , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , astronomy
Abstract Using a new method of xenon laser‐polarization that permits the generation of liter quantities of hyperpolarized 129 Xe gas, the first 129 Xe imaging results from the human chest and the first 129 Xe spectroscopy results from the human chest and head have been obtained. With polarization levels of approximately 2%, cross‐sectional images of the lung gas‐spaces with a voxel volume of 0.9 cm 3 (signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), 28) were acquired and three dissolved‐phase resonances in spectra from the chest were detected. In spectra from the head, one prominent dissolved‐phase resonance, presumably from brain parenchyma, was detected. With anticipated improvements in the 129 Xe polarization system, pulse sequences, RF coils, and breathing maneuvers, these results suggest the possibility for 129 Xe gas‐phase imaging of the lungs with a resolution approaching that of current conventional thoracic proton imaging. Moreover, the results suggest the feasibility of dissolved‐phase imaging of both the chest and brain with a resolution similar to that obtained with the gas‐phase images.