1H-MR imaging of the lungs at 3.0 T

BACKGROUND: One disadvantage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the inability to adequately image the lungs. Recent advances in hyperpolarized gas technology [e.g., helium-3 ((3)He) and xenon-129 ((129)Xe)] have changed this. However, the required technology is expensive and often needing extra physics or engineering staff. Hence there is considerable interest in developing (1)H (proton)-based MRI approaches that can be readily implemented …