Multiple-Slice, Multiple-Breath Washout Hyperpolarized 129Xe Ventilation Mapping of the Lung using Accelerated Data Acquisition

Multiple-breath washout hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI (MBW Xe-MRI) results in a regional map of fractional ventilation (FV), measuring percent gas clearance/breath. One limitation of previous work from our group is the single thick coronal slice (200mm) centered on the chest cavity results in significant partial volume effects. Acquiring multiple slices using parallel imaging adds spatial resolution in the slice direction. Feasibility of multiple-slice FV mapping using parallel acceleration is investigated in one adult. Median [IQR] FV was 0.35 [0.30 0.36]. Gravitational dependence was observed in posterior-anterior direction (-0.0122 cm-1). Multiple-slice MBW Xe-MRI is feasible in healthy adults using parallel image acquisition.