Motivation: There is a limited understanding of multi-site comparability of Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI (Xe-MRI). Goal(s): To better understand variability of Xe-MRI across sites, we examine preliminary results from ventilation, diffusion-weighted, and gas exchange Xe-MRI in 64 healthy young adults from the Lung Health Cohort. Approach: 3 of 5 designated sites have enrolled and imaged 64 participants following 129Xe MRI Clinical Trials Consortium recommended protocols. Images have been compared across sites to assess preliminary multi-site comparability of data. Results: Preliminary analysis indicates strong cross-site comparability in Ventilation and Gas Exchange Xe-MRI. Diffusion-weighted images appear to be less well harmonized. Impact: Trials using xenon MRI have been hampered by an incomplete understanding of normal variation across sites. In this preliminary analysis, we will examine the 3 major Xe-MRI contrasts (ventilation, diffusion-weighted, gas exchange) in 64 healthy volunteers imaged across three sites.
Mali et al. (Tue,) studied this question.