Detection of radiation induced lung injury in rats using dynamic hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Whole-lung tissue transfer time constants for(129)Xe (TTr_tissue) can be used to detect the early phase of RILI in a rat model involving 14 Gy thoracic (60)Co exposure as early as two weeks post-irradiation. This knowledge combined with more sophisticated models of gas exchange and imaging techniques, may allow functional lung avoidance radiation therapy planning to be achievable, providing more beneficial treatment plans and improved quality of life for recovering lung cancer patients.