Lung Imaging With Inhaled Gas MRI in Children With Cystic Fibrosis
Tests a gas MRI scan of airflow in children with cystic fibrosis and healthy children.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: 19F MRI in Healthy Children and Children With Mild Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Key facts
- Where
- Chapel Hill, United StatesSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for children and teenagers aged 6 to 17, either with cystic fibrosis and mild lung disease or healthy children, for a lung scan with an inhaled gas.
- Age
- 6 to 17 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Children with cystic fibrosis need stable lung function, FEV1 above 80% and an FEV1:FVC ratio above 0.7, with no flare-ups in the past 4 weeks.
- Earlier treatment
- No change in medication that may affect cystic fibrosis lung disease or lung function in the past 28 days, including experimental therapies.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Smoking or vaping, or quit smoking less than 1 year ago
- Healthy volunteers with any history of chronic lung disease, such as asthma
- Cannot have an MRI of the lungs and chest (for example metal injury, implants, claustrophobia)
- Cannot tolerate breathing in the gas mixture
- Pregnancy
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 6 and 17 years old?
Source: NCT06066723, who can take part
Where in United States
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Trial code
- NCT06066723
- Record updated
- 2 July 2026
- Original description
This study capitalizes on the emerging technology of 19F MRI, using conventional 'thermally' polarized perfluorinated gas (perfluoropropane, or PFP) mixed with oxygen and studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize ventilation. This technique has not been studied in children.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Cross-sectional Pilot Study of 19F MRI in Healthy Children and Children With Mild Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
This study capitalizes on the emerging technology of 19F MRI, using conventional 'thermally' polarized perfluorinated gas (perfluoropropane, or PFP) mixed with oxygen and studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize ventilation. This technique has not been studied in children.
Children and adolescents (6-17 years old) with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have normal spirometry will undergo 19F MRI with the inhalation of an inert contrast gas to study ventilation. Comparisons will be made to a cohort of healthy children (6-17 years old) who will perform the same measures. The primary outcome measure is the feasibility of conducting these studies in the pediatric population. Parallel performance of multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBW) and spirometry will be used to compare the sensitivity of these outcomes to the presence of mild lung disease in these children. Finally, the investigators will compare data obtained during standard breath holds with a novel "free-breathing" technique that will eliminate the need for breath holds during MRI acquisition.
Inclusion: 6-17 years old; Non-smoker and non-vaper; Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Group: must have a diagnosis of CF; No use of supplemental oxygen; They must be able to perform spirometry and have stable lung function (within 10% personal best in the last 6 months) and no exacerbations within the past 4 weeks; Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) >80% with ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity of the lung (FEV1:FVC) ratio >0.7.
Exclusion: Unable to undergo an MRI of the lungs and chest because of contraindications, including:; Injury to the eye involving a metallic object; Injury to the body involving a metallic object; Presence of an implanted drug infusion device that is not MRI safe; Bone growth of fusion simulator; Presence of cochlear, otologic, or ear implant; Shunt (spinal or intraventricular); Any implant held in place by magnet; Claustrophobia; Healthy volunteers: with any history of chronic lung disease (i.e. asthma); Changes in medication that may affect CF lung disease or lung function in the past 28 days, including experimental therapies; Active or former smoker with less than 1 year of quitting; Unable to tolerate the inhalation of the gas mixture; Facial hair preventing a tight fit of the mask used in the study; Pregnancy.