3D Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) and 2D Dynamic MRI for Evaluating Ventilation and Chest Wall Motion in Pediatric Pectus Malformation Patients

Motivation: The etiology of pectus excavatum is poorly understood, and treatment decisions are often based on incomplete evaluation. Goal(s): To develop and apply new imaging-based methods to improve our understanding of pectus deformities and to provide better measures for making treatment decisions. Approach: Novel ventilation analysis using free-breathing UTE-MRI and chest motion tracking using dynamic MRI were conducted on pectus deformities patients to investigate abnormalities and treatment effectiveness. Results: Ventilation maps exhibited ventilation abnormalities and correction of these abnormalities by elevation of the sternum using a suction device. Impact: UTE and dynamic MRI-based ventilation analysis and chest motion tracking greatly boost the structural and functional understanding of pectus deformities and pave the road to novel discoveries about the etiology of pectus deformities and better treatment decisions under clinical settings.