[Technique of proton and phosphorous MR spectroscopy]

Abstract

Clinical/methodical issue: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an important non-invasive method that can reveal the concentration and spatial distribution of particular biochemically relevant tissue metabolites.

Standard radiological methods: Proton MRS is routinely applicable in the clinical setting providing good quality results even with a moderate magnetic field strength of 1.5 T. Relative values of metabolite concentrations are mostly used for the assessment of metabolic disorders.

Methodical innovations: Absolute quantification of metabolites can be achieved by means of internal or external reference scans. Phosphorous MRS extends the range of detectable molecules to energy and cell membrane metabolism.

Performance: The lower detection limit of metabolite concentrations is in the range of some mmol/kg. Depending on the magnetic field strength, MRS enables a spatial resolution of a few milliliters.

Achievements: The use of phosphorous MRS is considerably limited because higher field strengths of at least 3.0 T and additional expensive hardware for signal processing are required.

Keywords: Absolute quantitation; Cell membrane metabolism; Energy metabolism; Metabolic alterations; Metabolite concentration.