Integrated magnetic resonance and 31p spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be a powerful tool for accurate assessment of the anatomical extent of head and neck neoplasms. The ability to localize precisely defined volumes of interest within tissue with measurement of multinuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H and 31P) has provided a basis for integrating spectroscopy into the clinical MRI examination. This technique which offers a means for noninvasive monitoring of relative concentrations of mobile metabolites at specific regions within a tumor is discussed. Examples of data obtained from integrated MRI/MRS studies for representative head and neck lesions are presented. The potential role of integrated MRI/MRS to monitor the response of neoplasms to therapy is reviewed.