Differentiation of parenchymal lung disorders within vitro proton nuclear magnetic resonance

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Abstract
We investigated in vitro NMR properties of bleomycin-induced alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in 18 Lewis rats (6 controls). When alveolitis or fibrosis had developed, animal lungs were excised and examined histologically and gravimetrically and their T1 and T2 were determined by a NMR spectrometre at 10.7 MHz and 37°C. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed histologically in each case. The NMR signal intensities were siginificantly elevaed in both disease states (P < 0.001). Both T1 and T2 values of alveolitic lungs were about the same as in controls, but were significantly decreased in fibrotic lungs (P < 0.01). Changes in T1 and T2 correlated well (P < 0.001) with changes in water content of discased lungs. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.