Obert, A.J.A.J.ObertGutberlet, M.M.GutberletKern, A.L.A.L.KernKaireit, T.F.T.F.KaireitGlandorf, J.J.GlandorfMoher Alsady, T.T.Moher AlsadyWacker, F.F.WackerHohlfeld, JensJensHohlfeldVogel-Claussen, J.J.Vogel-Claussen2022-12-192022-12-192022https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/43017610.1002/mrm.292372-s2.0-8512725921335348250Purpose: To examine the time-dependent diffusion of fluorinated (19F) gas in human lungs for determination of surface-to-volume ratio in comparison to results from hyperpolarized 129Xe and lung function testing in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: Diffusion of fluorinated gas in the short-time regime was measured using multiple gradient-echo sequences with a single pair of trapezoidal gradient pulses. Pulmonary surface-to-volume ratio was calculated using a first-order approximation of the time-dependent diffusion in a study with 20 healthy volunteers and 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The repeatability after 7 days as well as the correlation with hyperpolarized 129Xe diffusion MRI and lung function testing was analyzed. Results: Using 19F diffusion MRI, the median surface-to-volume ratio is significantly decreased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (S/V = 126 cm-1 [87-144 cm-1]) compared with healthy volunteers (S/V = 164 cm-1 [160–84 cm-1], p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between measurements within 7 days for healthy (p = 0.88, median coefficient of variation = 4.3%) and diseased subjects (p = 0.58, median coefficient of variation= 6.7%). Linear correlations were found with S/V from 129Xe diffusion MRI (r = 0.85, p = 0.001) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r = 0.68, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Examination of lung microstructure using time-dependent diffusion measurement of inhaled 19F is feasible, repeatable, and correlates with established measurements.en19 Fdiffusionpulmonary MRIsurface-to-volume ratioExamining lung microstructure using 19F MR diffusion imaging in COPD patientsjournal article