Quantitative spectroscopic imaging with in situ measurements of tissue water T1, T2, and density

• Published in: Magnetic resonance in medicine 2009-09, Vol.62 (3), p.583-590
• Main Authors: Gasparovic, C., Neeb, H., Feis, D.L., Damaraju, E., Chen, H., Doty, M.J., South, D.M., Mullins, P.G., Bockholt, H.J., Shah, N.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Body Water - chemistry; brain; Brain Chemistry; Female; Humans; magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy - methods; Male; Water - analysis
• ISSN: 0740-3194; 1522-2594; 1522-2594
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22060

The use of tissue water as a concentration standard in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) of the brain requires that the water proton signal be adjusted for relaxation and partial volume effects. While single voxel 1H‐MRS studies have often included measurements of water proton T1, T2, and density based on additional 1H‐MRS acquisitions (e.g., at multiple echo or repetition times), this approach is not practical for 1H‐MRS imaging (1H‐MRSI). In this report we demonstrate a method for using in situ measurements of water T1, T2, and density to calculate metabolite concentrations from 1H‐MRSI data. The relaxation and density data are coregistered with the 1H‐MRSI data and provide detailed information on the water signal appropriate to the individual subject and tissue region. We present data from both healthy subjects and a subject with brain lesions, underscoring the importance of water parameter measurements on a subject‐by‐subject and voxel‐by‐voxel basis. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.