During the past decade significant developments have been achieved in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enabling MRI to enter the clinical arena of chest imaging. Standard protocols can now be implemented on up-to-date scanners, allowing MRI to be used as a first-line imaging modality for various lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and even lung cancer. The diagnostic benefits stem from the ability of MRI to visualize changes in lung structure while simultaneously imaging different aspects of lung function, such as perfusion, respiratory motion, ventilation and gas exchange. On this basis, novel quantitative surrogates for lung function can be obtained. This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to use MRI for imaging of lung disease. Special emphasis is placed on benign diseases requiring regular monitoring, given that it is patients with these diseases who derive the greatest benefit from the avoidance of ionizing radiation.

This book reviews the basics of pulmonary functional imaging using new CT and MR techniques and describes the clinical applications of these techniques in detail. The intention is to equip readers with a full understanding of pulmonary functional imaging that will allow optimal application of all relevant techniques in the assessment of a variety of diseases, including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer and pulmonary nodule. Pulmonary functional imaging has been promoted as a research and diagnostic tool that has the capability to overcome the limitations of morphological assessments as well as functional evaluation based on traditional nuclear medicine studies. The recent advances in CT and MRI and in medical image processing and analysis have given further impetus to pulmonary functional imaging and provide the basis for future expansion of its use in clinical applications. In documenting the utility of state-of-the-art pulmonary functional imaging in diagnostic radiology and pulmonary medicine, this book will be of high value for chest radiologists, pulmonologists, pulmonary surgeons, and radiation technologists.

Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kill more than 4 million people every year, and affect hundreds of millions more. These diseases erode the health and well-being of the patients and have a negative impact on families and societies. This report raises awareness of the huge impact of chronic respiratory diseases worldwide, and highlights the risk factors as well as ways to prevent and treat these diseases.

Providing the first comprehensive book on the current state of hyperpolarized Xenon-129 NMR and MRI, this book is guaranteed to appeal to a wide range of scientists interested in this growing field. It is intended to create synergy between the various communities working with this noble gas. Covering all topics from the production of the hyperpolarized gas to its applications, the editors have invited a leading team of experts to combine the physical chemistry within the various topics and across disciplines. The scope will range from the fundamental aspects of optical pumping to practical aspects of hyperpolarizers and hp-xenon handling. The applications section will focus on hyperpolarized xenon-129 detected in the dissolved phase or micro porous media where the chemical shift of xenon-129 can be used as a diagnostic probe. Appealing to researchers in the biomedical field and materials sciences, this reference book will provide background reading and future looking material in one place.

For a long time, imaging of the chest was based on the use of either radiography, demonstrating lung morphology, or scintigraphy, looking at lung function. However, as a result of recent developments in CT and MRI technology it is now possible to perform dedicated investigations of different aspects of lung function, such as ventilation, perfusion, gas exchange, and respiratory mechanics. This volume, written by acknowledged experts in the field, provides a well-illustrated and comprehensive review of these novel approaches to functional imaging of the chest. It will be of great assistance to all who are establishing such strategies in the research or clinical arenas for the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of patients with lung diseases.

This book provides a complete overview of cucurbituril chemistry, covering fundamental aspects including history, synthesis and host-guest chemistry.