[Quantitative MR-Spectroscopy: implementation and quality assurance on a clinical MR-scanner]

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biophysics
• Analytical Chemistry

Context:

• Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (qMRS) is crucial for non-invasive metabolite analysis.
• Implementing qMRS in routine clinical settings requires robust quality assurance and validation.
• External reference signals offer a standardized approach for accurate quantification.

Purpose:

• To implement and validate quantitative MR-Spectroscopy (qMRS) with external reference signals for routine clinical use on a 1.5 T Philips scanner.
• To establish quality assurance protocols, including phantom measurements and constancy checks.
• To assess the impact of concentration, volume, and coil variations on quantification accuracy.

Summary:

• Quantitative MR-Spectroscopy (qMRS) was successfully implemented on a Philips Gyroscan Intera 1.5 T scanner using external reference signals.
• Quality assurance measurements were established, analyzing signal dependence on concentration, volume, and local coil variations.
• In vitro and blinded phantom measurements confirmed accurate quantification of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), and creatine (Cr) within error limits.

Impact:

• Provides a validated qMRS method for routine clinical application, enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
• Establishes standardized quality control procedures for MR-Spectroscopy, improving data reliability.
• Enables accurate in vivo metabolite concentration measurements, crucial for disease diagnosis and monitoring.