Publications [#132808] of G. Allan Johnson

Papers Published

1. HE Möller, XJ Chen, B Saam, KD Hagspiel, GA Johnson, TA Altes, EE de Lange, HU Kauczor, MRI of the lungs using hyperpolarized noble gases., Magnetic resonance in medicine : official journal of the Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine / Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, United States, vol. 47 no. 6 (June, 2002), pp. 1029-51, ISSN 0740-3194
   (last updated on 2005/08/03)

   Abstract:
   The nuclear spin polarization of the noble gas isotopes (3)He and (129)Xe can be increased using optical pumping methods by four to five orders of magnitude. This extraordinary gain in polarization translates directly into a gain in signal strength for MRI. The new technology of hyperpolarized (HP) gas MRI holds enormous potential for enhancing sensitivity and contrast in pulmonary imaging. This review outlines the physics underlying the optical pumping process, imaging strategies coping with the nonequilibrium polarization, and effects of the alveolar microstructure on relaxation and diffusion of the noble gases. It presents recent progress in HP gas MRI and applications ranging from MR microscopy of airspaces to imaging pulmonary function in patients and suggests potential directions for future developments.

   Keywords:
   Animals • Forecasting • Helium • Humans • Lung • Lung Diseases • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Noble Gases • Pulmonary Gas Exchange • Xenon Radioisotopes • anatomy & histology* • diagnosis* • diagnostic use • diagnostic use* • methods* • physiology*