Hyperpolarized Noble Gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Dynamic Spectroscopy For Investigation Of Rat Models Of Lung Inflammation

Imaging of the lungs using non-ionizing approaches such as hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool both for research and clinical applications. This work focused on development of 129Xe MRI techniques to investigate inflammation in rat lungs. A rodent model of inflammation, specifically radiationinduced lung injury (RILI) was developed using a collimated 60Co source. A quantitative MRI technique measuring absolute ventilated lung volume (values obtained from rats using the previously established 3He method and those obtained with 129Xe, the usefulness of 129Xe for future investigations of.