Hyperpolarized Helium-3 Magnetic Resonance Lung Imaging of Non-Sedated Infants and Young Children: a Proof-of-concept Study.

Purpose: To develop and evaluate a protocol for hyperpolarized helium-3 (HHe) ventilation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs of non-sedated infants and children.Materials and methods: HHe ventilation MRI was performed on seven children <= 4years old. Contiguous 2D-spiral helium-3 images were acquired sequentially with a scan time of <= 0.2 s/slice.Results: Motion-artifact-free, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) images of lung ventilation were obtained. Gas was homogeneously distributed in healthy individuals; focal ventilation defects were found in patients with respiratory diseases.Conclusion: HHe ventilation MRI can aid assessment of pediatric lung disease even at a young age. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.