Time-series hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI of lobar lung ventilation of COPD in comparison to V/Q-SPECT/CT and CT

PURPOSE: To derive lobar ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a rapid time-series hyperpolarized xenon-129 (HPX) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique and compare this to ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (V/Q-SPECT), correlating the results with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve COPD subjects (GOLD stages I–IV) participated in this study and underwent HPX-MRI, V/Q-SPECT/CT, high-resolution CT, and PFTs. HPX-MRI was performed using a novel time-series spiral k-space sampling approach. Relative percentage ventilations were calculated for individual lobe for comparison to the relative SPECT lobar ventilation and perfusion. The absolute HPX-MRI percentage ventilation in each lobe was compared to the absolute CT percentage emphysema score calculated using a signal threshold method. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression tests were performed to compare each imaging modality. RESULTS: Strong correlations were found between the relative lobar percentage ventilation with HPX-MRI and percentage ventilation SPECT (r = 0.644; p < 0.001) and percentage perfusion SPECT (r = 0.767; p < 0.001). The absolute CT percentage emphysema and HPX percentage ventilation correlation was also statistically significant (r = 0.695, p < 0.001). The whole lung HPX percentage ventilation correlated with the PFT measurements (FEV(1) with r = − 0.886, p < 0.001*, and FEV(1)/FVC with r = − 0.861, p < 0.001*) better than the whole lung CT percentage emphysema score (FEV(1) with r = − 0.635, p = 0.027; and FEV(1)/FVC with r = − 0.652, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Lobar ventilation with HPX-MRI showed a strong correlation with lobar ventilation and perfusion measurements derived from SPECT/CT, and is better than the emphysema score obtained with high-resolution CT. KEY POINTS: • The ventilation hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI correlates well with ventilation and perfusion with SPECT/CT with the advantage of higher temporal and spatial resolution. • The hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI correlates with the PFT measurements better than the high-resolution CT with the advantage of avoiding the use of ionizing radiation. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-018-5888-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.