Feasibility Study of in Situ Lung MRE in a Porcine Model: Correlation of Shear Stiffness and Transpulmonary Pressures

Yogesh K. Mariappan¹, Arunark Kolipaka¹, Richard L. Ehman¹, Kiaran P. McGee¹

Previous lung magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) animal experiments have indicated that it is feasible to quantitate the shear modulus of lungs with ¹H MRI with the driver in direct contact with the lungs. Here, we tested the applicability of this technique in an in situ porcine model with a noninvasive mechanical driver placed on the chest wall. Further, the feasibility of this technique to measure the change in stiffness of the lung parenchyma as a function of transpulmonary pressure was also evaluated. It was found that lung stiffness can be quantified with this setup and that shear stiffness increases with increasing transpulmonary pressure.