Adiabatic localized correlation spectroscopy (AL-COSY): application in muscle and brain

To describe an enhanced version of a localized correlation spectroscopy (L-COSY) by introducing adiabatic radiofrequency (RF) pulses for localization in two dimensions. Adiabatic pulses will improve slice selection profile and reduce chemical shift artifacts. Optimized Mao and adiabatic hyperbolic secant pulses are tested in vivo.

Region of interest is localized by a 90° nonselective adiabatic RF pulse followed by two pairs of adiabatic RF pulses and a terminal 90° RF sinc pulse. Slice profiles for both refocusing pulses and chemical shift artifacts are measured in a water-oil phantom for L-COSY and AL-COSY. In vivo results of both COSY sequences are shown from muscle and brain on a 3 Tesla (T) scanner.

Chemical shift artifacts were reduced with AL-COSY compared with L-COSY. Slice profiles of adiabatic pulses were found to be sharper and more symmetrical than those of traditional Mao pulses. One-dimensional (1D) phantom studies showed longer T2 values using AL-COSY sequence. Comparison of 2D spectra obtained revealed spectroscopic peak volume improvements in AL-COSY and less residual water. In vivo 1D comparison showed more inphase and sharper peaks in AL-COSY spectrum.

The AL-COSY sequence is an improved sequence due to sharper slice selection profiles, reduction of chemical shift artifacts, peak volume improvements in 2D techniques, and less J-modulation.