MRI shows second-hand smoke damage

CHICAGO—A new MRI technique—inhaled hyperpolarized helium-3 diffusion MRI—shows lung damage in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke, according to a study presented at RSNA 2007. Researchers from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia performed the technique in 60 volunteers to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.

High ADCs correlated with enlarged lung alveoli, indicating damage: Elevated ADC was found in 4% of subjects with infrequent exposure to second-hand smoke, 27% with high exposure, and 67% of current and former smokers (see Figure).