T2* Measurements of 3-T MRI With Ultrashort TEs: Capabilities of Pulmonary Function Assessment and Clinical Stage Classification in Smokers

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of MRI with ultrashort TEs on a 3-T system and of thin-section MDCT for pulmonary function assessment and clinical stage classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Forty smokers (24 men and 16 women; mean age ± SD, 68.0 ± 9.3 years) underwent MRI with ultrashort TEs and thin-section MDCT. Pulmonary function testing was also performed to determine the following: the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (percentage predicted) (FEV1/FVC%), percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%FEV1), and percentage predicted diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide corrected for alveolar volume (%DLCO/VA). All subjects were classified into one of four groups as follows: smokers without COPD, with mild COPD, with moderate COPD, and with severe or very severe COPD. T2* maps were expressed using proprietary software. Regional T2* values were dete...