In vivo P-31-MR-spectroscopy of focal hepatic lesions. Effectiveness of tumor detection in clinical practice and experimental studies of surface coil characteristics and localization technique.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of partial tumor sampling in a volume of interest (VOI) on the ratios of phosphorus metabolites was examined by localized phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P-31-MRS). Experiments were performed to investigate the characteristics of the surface coil used and precession of spatial localization.


METHODS
A total of 24 patients with liver metastases and 20 volunteers were studied by P-31-MRS. Patients were divided in two groups: VOI < 50% (n = 8) and VOI > 50% (n = 16) occupied by tumor. For evaluation of the surface coil and localization method (image selected in vivo spectroscopy), phantom studies were performed.


RESULTS
Superficial focal liver tumors were detectable with a surface coil at a distance within the coil radius. The image selected in vivo spectroscopy permitted the study of phosphorus metabolism in a defined VOI, phosphomonoester/beta-adenosine triphosphate and phosphodiester/beta-adenosine triphosphate were elevated significantly in spectra of both patient groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of small tumor volumes within a VOI filled by less than 50% of the tumor is possible, with results statistically different from that in normal volunteers.
Brinkmann
G
G
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany.
Melchert
U H
UH
Emde
L
L
Wolf
H
H
Muhle
C
C
Brossmann
J
J
Reuter
M
M
Heller
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008961:Models, Structural; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes
D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D010758:Phosphorus