Ultrashort TE Imaging with Tight Intervals (δTE) for T2* Mapping in COPD: Toward a Biomarker for Lung Structural Changes

Motivation: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes progressive lung damage, and periodic monitoring of these structural changes is crucial for understanding disease progression. Goal(s): To develop a safe non-contrast MRI technique for accurate T2* mapping in COPD patients. Approach: Three healthy subjects and two COPD patients were scanned on a 3T MRI with the ΔTE UTE sequence, using closely spaced ΔTE echoes and analyzed with mono- and bi-exponential T2* mapping. Results: ΔTE UTE successfully mapped the differences in T2* between healthy and emphysema lung tissue, correlating with emphysema regions identified on CT, suggesting its potential as a biomarker tool in COPD. Impact: The ΔTE UTE technique enables safe, non-ionizing imaging suitable for repeated exams in longitudinal monitoring of COPD progression. By enhancing T2* mapping sensitivity, it shows promise as a potential biomarker for detecting subtle lung changes, complementing current CT assessments.