MRI Scans for Chronic Lung Disease

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Angela A Wilson, RRT

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Western University, Canada

Disqualifiers: Ferrous implants, Pacemakers, Claustrophobia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how MRI scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can aid in understanding chronic lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and COPD. Participants will inhale hyperpolarized helium, a special gas that highlights lung function in MRI images. The goal is to assess lung ventilation and function over time. Individuals with a diagnosed lung disease who can hold their breath for 16 seconds might be suitable candidates. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to advance knowledge in lung disease diagnostics.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that MRI scans are safe for evaluating chronic lung disease?

Research has shown that MRI scans using special gases like helium or xenon are generally safe. Studies have found that both healthy individuals and those with lung diseases tolerate these gases well. No major side effects have been linked to this type of imaging. MRI is a non-invasive method, meaning it doesn't involve surgery or entering the body, and it doesn't use radiation, making it safer than imaging methods that use X-rays. Although researchers continue to study the use of these gases in MRI, current evidence suggests it is a safe procedure. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using MRI scans for chronic lung disease because this approach offers a new way to visualize lung function over time, which isn't typically possible with standard treatments like inhalers and medications. Unlike traditional methods that primarily focus on symptom management, MRI scans provide detailed images of the lungs, using hyperpolarized Helium or Xenon, to help doctors understand how the disease progresses and responds to treatment. This technique could lead to more personalized treatment plans and potentially improve patient outcomes by precisely monitoring lung health.

What evidence suggests that MRI is effective for evaluating chronic lung disease?

Research shows that MRI is a strong tool for checking lung diseases. Studies have found that MRI at 3 Tesla works just as well as high-resolution CT scans for spotting lung problems in people with long-term lung conditions. In this trial, participants will undergo MRI at baseline and over time to monitor lung health. MRI provides clear pictures of both the structure and function of the lungs, aiding in understanding lung function. It can show how air moves in and out and how well the lungs perform. This makes MRI a promising method for monitoring lung health over time in people with chronic lung diseases. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Grace E Parraga, PhD

Principal Investigator

Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men and women aged 18-75 with various lung diseases who can hold their breath for 16 seconds, have an FEV1 >25% predicted, and a Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) >25% predicted. Participants must understand the study and consent to join. Exclusions include having metal implants or conditions that prevent MRI use like severe claustrophobia.

Inclusion Criteria

Your lung function as measured by Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) should be greater than 25% of what is expected and above 0.5 liters.

Your FEV1 (a measure of lung function) is greater than 25% of what is expected for someone your age, height, and gender.

I can hold my breath for 16 seconds.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a device or metal in your body that cannot be taken out, like a pacemaker or surgical staples.

I cannot have an MRI due to having metal implants or a pacemaker.

In the investigator's opinion, subject suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, such as severe claustrophobia

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo medical history review, vital signs check, and full pulmonary function tests

1-2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

MRI Assessment

Participants inhale hyperpolarized helium and undergo MRI scans to evaluate lung function and microstructure

1-2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in lung function and microstructure over time

5 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• MRI

Trial Overview

The study tests how well Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using hyperpolarized helium can show changes in lungs of chronic lung disease patients over time by measuring things like Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), ventilation defects, and percent ventilation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: MRI at baseline and over time Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients with chronic lung disease will undergo pulmonary function tests, hyperpolarized Helium and or Xenon MRI at each visit.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Western University, Canada

Lead Sponsor

Trials

270

Recruited

62,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

MRI is a promising imaging technique for diagnosing interstitial lung diseases, particularly in pediatric patients or when avoiding radiation exposure is crucial, although it currently lacks the sensitivity of CT for detecting small details.

Despite its lower spatial resolution, MRI can effectively visualize larger lung abnormalities and provide valuable information on regional lung function and inflammation, suggesting potential for broader clinical applications in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[MRI of interstitial lung diseases: what is possible?]. Biederer, J., Wielpütz, MO., Jobst, BJ., et al.[2018]

The PETRA imaging technique provides high-quality lung images with significantly better contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios compared to the standard VIBE sequence, making it effective for visualizing bronchi and lung tissue.

In a small clinical assessment, PETRA showed excellent agreement with CT imaging in evaluating cystic fibrosis, suggesting it could be a safer, non-invasive alternative for lung imaging in patients with this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quiet Submillimeter MR Imaging of the Lung Is Feasible with a PETRA Sequence at 1.5 T. Dournes, G., Grodzki, D., Macey, J., et al.[2016]

Lung MRI has limited clinical utility for lung diseases, and its application varies by country due to factors like clinical indications and healthcare resources.

The article outlines current and promising future applications of lung MRI, aiming to enhance understanding and encourage appropriate use in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Technical Advancements and Clinical Applications. Ohno, Y., Ozawa, Y., Nagata, H., et al.[2023]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) successfully identified all lung lesions visible on chest radiographs in a study of 38 patients with various lung disorders, although it was less sensitive than computed tomography for detecting very small abnormalities.

MRI may help differentiate between different lung disorders, such as acute inflammation versus pulmonary collapse or fibrosis, and can provide sufficient information for accurate diagnosis in certain conditions like lobar emphysema and cystic adenomatoid malformation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal disease by magnetic resonance imaging. Cohen, MD., Scales, RL., Eigen, H., et al.[2015]

A 0.55-T MRI system can produce high-quality images of lung diseases, effectively detecting conditions like bronchiectasis and consolidative opacities, with an average acquisition time of 11 minutes.

While MRI showed strong correlation with CT for measuring nodule sizes, it had some limitations in detecting diffuse diseases like ground-glass opacities, indicating that while promising, MRI may not fully replace CT for all lung imaging needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

T2-weighted Lung Imaging Using a 0.55-T MRI System. Campbell-Washburn, AE., Malayeri, AA., Jones, EC., et al.[2022]

Low-field MRI (under 1 T) offers significant advantages for lung imaging, including reduced susceptibility effects and increased relaxation times, making it potentially more effective for diagnosing pulmonary diseases.

The lower costs and reduced need for ionizing radiation make low-field MRI a promising option for critical scenarios, such as screening in pediatric patients and pregnant women, while also allowing for functional examinations of lung tissue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Imaging of the lung using low-field magnetic resonance imaging]. Hinsen, M., Heiss, R., Nagel, AM., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 25 participants (8 cystic fibrosis patients, 7 children with a history of prematurity, and 10 healthy volunteers), the ZTE3D vnav MRI sequence provided the best image quality for lung imaging, although its effectiveness depended on the efficiency of navigator triggering and the patient's breathing pattern.

Prospective ZTE3D and UTE3D sequences yielded the highest image quality overall, while the retrospective ZTE4D sequence produced poor diagnostic quality due to artefacts that could mimic lung pathology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lung parenchyma and structure visualisation in paediatric chest MRI: a comparison of different short and ultra-short echo time protocols. Papp, D., Elders, B., Wielopolski, PA., et al.[2023]

Lung MRI can replace up to 90% of CT scans, significantly reducing radiation exposure, especially beneficial for children needing frequent lung imaging due to conditions like cystic fibrosis or tumor surveillance.

Respiration-triggered T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences are effective for lung imaging in children, while new T1-weighted ultrashort echo time sequences provide high-resolution images similar to CT, enhancing diagnostic capabilities without radiation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The current status and further prospects for lung magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology. Hirsch, FW., Sorge, I., Vogel-Claussen, J., et al.[2021]

MRI using hyperpolarized gases like (3)He or (129)Xe is a powerful non-invasive tool for studying lung function and evaluating treatments for airway diseases in pre-clinical studies.

Proton MRI can reveal important information about lung inflammation and tissue density changes, making it suitable for longitudinal studies in small animal models of lung diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MRI of the lung: non-invasive protocols and applications to small animal models of lung disease. Zurek, M., Crémillieux, Y.[2011]

Recent advancements in MRI technology have made it suitable for routine clinical use in lung imaging, offering both structural and functional assessments without the risks associated with ionizing radiation, which is particularly beneficial for children and young adults.

MRI is effective for diagnosing and monitoring various lung conditions, including pulmonary vascular diseases, airway diseases like cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer staging, with ongoing research exploring its use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imaging of pulmonary pathologies: focus on magnetic resonance imaging. Kauczor, HU., Ley-Zaporozhan, J., Ley, S.[2009]

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