Density-matrix calculations of the 1.5 T citrate signal acquired with volume-localized STEAM sequences

Citrate detection and quantitation with proton spectroscopic methods are of current interest as potential tools in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. The stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence is a commonly used volume-localization method for detecting citrate signal. Since the 1H citrate resonance at clinically available field strengths arises from a strongly coupled two-spin system, the 90 degrees RF pulses and localizing gradients used in STEAM sequences result in a complicated dependence of signal intensity on timing intervals and gradient amplitudes. The density-matrix formalism has been applied to arrive at a general solution to this problem. Citrate-signal properties at 1.5 T for different gradient localization schemes are examined with the solution. Optimal interpulse delays, deleterious gradient balances, zero-quantum oscillations with mixing time, and a low-frequency, large-amplitude oscillation with echo time are identified for signals acquired with the standard disposition of gradients in STEAM. The generality of the solution also allows for an examination of non-standard gradient disposition schemes for enhancing citrate signal and for quantifying the sensitivity of such approaches to both field inhomogeneities and off-resonance effects.