Volumetric dynamic oxygen-enhanced MRI (OE-MRI): comparison with CT Brody score and lung function in cystic fibrosis patients.OBJECTIVES
 To demonstrate, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the correlation between three-dimensional dynamic oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (OE-MRI) measurements and computed tomography Brody score (CF-CT) and lung function testing (LFT).


 Twenty-one patients (median age, 25 years; female, n = 8) with a range of CF lung disease and five healthy volunteers (median age, 31 years; female, n = 2) underwent OE-MRI performed on a 1.5-T MRI scanner.  T1-parameter maps were generated and the following OE-MRI parameters were measured: oxygen uptake (ΔPO2max), wash-in time and wash-out time.  The relationship between CF-CT, LFT and OE-MRI parameters were evaluated using Pearson correlation for the whole lung and regionally.


 Functional lung imaging using OE-MRI has the capability to assess the severity of CF lung disease and shows a significant correlation with LFT and CF-CT.


 • Oxygen-enhanced MRI might play a future role in evaluation and follow-up of cystic fibrosis.  • Avoidance of cumulative radiation burden in CF is feasible using OE-MRI.
MRI