High-resolution three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of mouse lung in situ.

Objective: This study establishes a method for high-resolution isotropic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of mouse lungs using tracheal liquid-instillation to remove MR susceptibility artifacts.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were instilled sequentially with perfluorocarbon and phosphate-buffered saline to an airway pressure of 10, 20, or 30 cm H2O. Imaging was performed in a 7T MR scanner using a 2.5-cm Quadrature volume coil and a 3-dimensional (3D) FLASH imaging sequence.

Results: Liquid-instillation removed magnetic susceptibility artifacts and allowed lung structure to be viewed at an isotropic resolution of 78-90 microm. Instilled liquid and modeled lung volumes were well correlated (R = 0.92; P < 0.05) and differed by a constant tissue volume (220 +/- 92 microL). 3D image renderings allowed differences in structural dimensions (volumes and areas) to be accurately measured at each inflation pressure.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate the efficacy of pulmonary liquid instillation for in situ high-resolution MR imaging of mouse lungs for accurate measurement of pulmonary airway, parenchymal, and vascular structures.