Stefan Weick1, Felix A. Breuer2, Martin Blaimer2, Michael Flentje3, Christian Fink4, Lothar R. Schad5, Peter M. Jakob1, 6
1Department of Experimental Physics 5, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Bavaria, Germany; 2Research Center Magnetic Resonance Bavaria e.V (MRB); 3Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Wuerzburg; 4Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim; 5Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim; 6Research Center Magnetic Resonance Bavaria e.V (MRB)
In this work, time resolved three dimensional (4D) human lung imaging in high spatial resolution is performed on volunteers as well as patients under free breathing conditions. To this end, the DC signal was acquired every TR and used for gating thereby allowing for the retrospective reconstruction of different respiratory phases. Additionally, a quasi random sampling strategy was employed leading to an increased stability of parallel imaging reconstruction in the case of missing data points due to gating. 4D lung imaging can be used for the assessment of respiratory mechanics and tumor displacement for an individual motion adapted radiotherapy planning.