“Because MRI directly investigates the function of the alveolar-capillary border, it may be more sensitive or more targeted than computed tomography in microvascular abnormalities,” the team said.
Previous studies have shown that the incidence of post-COVID-19 symptoms in people who are at least 12 weeks out of the initial infection – such as restful breathing during both exercise and fatigue, fatigue, limited exercise, muscle weakness and cognition deficits (ie, “brain fog”) – ranges from 20% to 81%, the researchers explained.
These symptoms can be difficult to diagnose and treat, as they often cannot be consistently confirmed with tools such as spirometry, lung tests or even CT scans. Previous research has also investigated the long-term effects of COVID-19 in patients who were treated for it, not in those who were never treated.
The Xe-129 MRI scan offers the ability to detect “capillary abnormalities by detecting inhaled Xe-129 dissolved in the alveolar membrane,” the team wrote. Matheson and colleagues investigated the relationship between persistent COVID-19 symptoms and exercise limitations in 34 patients who had COVID-19 but were never hospitalized using Xe-129 and CT magnetic resonance imaging. Their study also included six healthy controls.
Patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome underwent spirometry, a pulmonary test called carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO), Xe-129 MRI, and chest CT scans, all of which were healthy controls. examinations other than chest computed tomography.
The team monitored the red blood cell signal ratios to the alveolar barrier and the red blood cell regions below the AUC of patients on the Xe-129 MRI test. Study participants also completed a variety of questionnaires to assess their quality of life, exercise limitations, and strenuous breathing.
Xe-129 MRI scans showed lower values in lung health measures, such as the ability of the lungs to diffuse carbon monoxide, the ability to exercise and the ability to breathe (conditions associated with the Xe-129 MRI findings in this which the group called a “red area of blood cells below the spectroscopy curve,” calling it “AUC.” MRI findings were also associated with poor pulmonary vascular density CT scans.
“In our study, [Xe-129 MRI suggests] “Temporarily persistent pulmonary vascular density and gas transport abnormalities associated with exercise restriction and shortness of breath during exercise,” the researchers wrote. “MRI scans were worse in patients who were never hospitalized than in controls.”
The findings are promising, but the study has some limitations: In particular, the method by which the Xe-129 MRI scans were performed and what it showed about gas transport and age differences between healthy and sick participants, wrote Jim Wild , PhD. , and Guilhem Collier, PhD, both from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, in a cover article.
“We are really pleased to see this work add to the literature on MRI of a dissolved foreigner in lung disease after COVID, and we share the urgent need to understand the symptoms of lung disease after COVID,” they wrote. “We must, however, ensure that the findings are consistent with age-appropriate regulatory data before clinically relevant conclusions can be drawn.” Copyright © 2022 AuntMinnie.com
