Investigating 3He diffusion NMR in the lungs using finite difference simulations and in vivo PGSE experiments

J Magn Reson. 2004 Mar;167(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jmr.2003.10.019.

Abstract

Finite difference simulations have been used to model (3)He gas diffusion in simulated lung tissue. The technique has the advantage that a wide range of structural models and diffusion-sensitizing gradient waveforms can be investigated, for which analytical methods would otherwise be virtually impossible. Results from simulations and in vivo pulsed-gradient-spin-echo (PGSE) experiments show that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is a function of diffusion time and gradient strength, and suggests diffusion is locally anisotropic. The simulations have been compared to recent work on an analytical model that characterizes lung tissue as a series of independent cylinders. The results presented may have clinical implications for (3)He ADC measurements in assessing lung diseases such as chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Helium / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Isotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular / methods*
  • Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted
  • Pulmonary Gas Exchange*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Smoking / metabolism

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Helium