# Dynamic Imaging of Lung Ventilation and Perfusion Using CT and MRI

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2024 · $698,866

## Abstract

Dynamic Oxygen-Enhanced MRI of Lung Structure and Function, PI: Sean B. Fain.
Abstract
This project will develop and optimize oxygen-enhanced (OE) imaging of dynamic ventilation of the lungs
simultaneously with high resolution acquisition of lung parenchymal anatomy in a single, free-breathing 7-minute
acquisition using 3D ultra-short time to echo (UTE) MRI. Advances in 3D UTE MRI now support regional imaging
of lung anatomy with CT-like contrast, full chest coverage, and isotropic 1 mm spatial resolution. We will employ
advanced motion compensation reconstruction with manifold-based deep learning and UTE center-out k-space
trajectories to isolate respiratory motion from T1 changes due to oxygen wash-in and wash-out during free-
breathing. The resulting motion compensated reconstruction provides both quantitative ventilation and high-
resolution structure in a single 7-minute series. Multiple chronic lung diseases will be studied with this approach
to establish utility and repeatability of the method in comparison to quantitative chest CT and hyperpolarized
129Xe MRI. Our preliminary data demonstrates the utility of MRI-only exam of lung structure and ventilation in a
manner similar to that provided by nuclear SPECT with technegas and X-ray CT but without ionizing radiation.
We hypothesize that 3D UTE MR imaging of ventilation dynamics will capture co-localized structure-function for
monitoring ventilation heterogeneity relative to structural features of lung disease, including fibrosis, granulomas,
mucus plugging, bronchiectasis, ground glass, and fibrosis. Radiology expert reader studies will be performed
with direct comparison of UTE MRI with quantitative chest CT for depiction of structural and functional (derived
from static multi-volumetric images) abnormalities, and OE MRI regional patterns of ventilation to hyperpolarized
129Xe MRI. We seek to create an MRI method and protocol for structure-function assessment of chronic lung
disease with broad access, no exposure to ionizing radiation (allowing for longitudinal assessment at increased
granularity), and using a safe, inexpensive and widely available paramagnetic gas. The specific aims of the
project are to: 1) Improve data acquisition efficiency for 3D UTE MRI at clinical field strengths; 2) Develop
dynamic OE MRI of oxygen ventilation wash-in and wash-out during free breathing, and 3) Develop OE
MRI visualization and analysis tools for regional structure-function associations. The 3D OE MRI
approach is inexpensive, uses proton-based contrast and can characterize both structural and functional aspects
of chronic lung disease in a manner similar to SPECT/CT without concern for ionizing radiation exposure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10913594
- **Project number:** 5R01HL169765-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sean Bedilion Fain
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $698,866
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10913594

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10913594, Dynamic Imaging of Lung Ventilation and Perfusion Using CT and MRI (5R01HL169765-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10913594. Licensed CC0.

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