Synopsis

129Xe lung MRI - you can do it. Hyperpolarised 129Xe, as an inhaled MRI contrast agent offer a wealth of complementary information about the function and microstructure of the lung and has great potential as a clinical tool for early detection and understanding of patho-physiology of lung diseases. HP 129Xe MRI is now poised to impact upon clinical management through safe, sensitive monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.In this ‘how to do it’ talk, we briefly introduce HP gas MRI techniques and what aspects of lung function they probe. Then, based on our experience of the technique in Sheffield in a diagnostic clinical setting the clinical information the technique can provide is highlighted with case studies of patients who were referred with a range of pulmonary disorders.