High temporal versus high spatial resolution in MR quantitative pulmonary perfusion imaging of two-year old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) leads to lung hypoplasia. Using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR imaging, lung perfusion can be quantified. As MR perfusion values depend on temporal resolution, we compared two protocols to investigate whether ipsilateral lung perfusion is impaired after CDH, whether there are protocol-dependent differences, and which protocol is preferred. DCE-MRI was performed in 36 2-year old children after CDH on a 3 T MRI system; protocol A (n = 18) based on a high spatial (3.0 s; voxel: 1.25 mm(3)) and protocol B (n = 18) on a high temporal resolution (1.5 s; voxel: 2 mm(3)). Pulmonary blood flow (PBF), pulmonary blood volume (PBV), mean transit time (MTT), and peak-contrast-to-noise-ratio (PCNR) were quantified. PBF was reduced ipsilaterally, with ipsilateral PBF of 45 +/- 26 ml/100 ml/min to contralateral PBF of 63 +/- 28 ml/100 ml/min (p = 0.0016) for protocol A; and for protocol B, side differences were equivalent (ipsilateral PBF = 62 +/- 24 vs. contralateral PBF = 85 +/- 30 ml/100 ml/min; p = 0.0034). PCNR was higher for protocol B (30 +/- 18 vs. 20 +/- 9; p = 0.0294). Protocol B showed higher values of PBF in comparison to protocol A (p always < 0.05). Ipsilateral lung perfusion is reduced in 2-year old children following CDH repair. Higher temporal resolution and increased voxel size show a gain in PCNR and lead to higher perfusion values. Protocol B is therefore preferred. aEuro cent Quantitative lung perfusion parameters depend on temporal and spatial resolution. aEuro cent Reduction of lung perfusion in CDH can be measured with different MR protocols. aEuro cent Temporal resolution of 1.5 s with spatial resolution of 2 mm (3) is suitable.