Lipid content in the musculature of the lower leg: evaluation with high-resolution spectroscopic imaging

A novel spectroscopic imaging method with high spectral and spatial resolution was developed for the specific goal of assessing muscle fat. Sensitivity to the methylene and methyl protons of fatty acids was improved by the use of a binomial 1 1 excitation pulse instead of the standard radiofrequency (RF) pulse. Acceptable measurement time is achieved by using a narrow spectral bandwidth (6 ppm). The spectral resolution is sufficient to resolve extramyocellular (EMCL) and intramyocellular (IMCL) lipids. A post-detection data processing scheme that permits correction of spectral artifacts caused by chemical shifts, spectral line aliasing, and magnetic field inhomogeneities is suggested. The lipid content in different lower leg muscles was evaluated. Muscle fiber orientation was taken into account in assessing quantities of EMCL and IMCL. The proposed technique allows small amounts of inhomogeneously distributed muscle lipids to be quantified.