Pulmonary Ultrashort Echo Time 19F MR Imaging with Inhaled Fluorinated Gas Mixtures in Healthy Volunteers: Feasibility

PURPOSE: To perform static breath-hold fluorine 19 ((19)F) three-dimensional (3D) ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lungs in healthy volunteers by using a mixture of 79% perfluoropropane (PFP) and 21% O2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study protocol was approved by the local research ethics board and by Health Canada. All volunteers provided written informed consent. Ten healthy volunteers underwent MR imaging at …