[Measuring the contrast-enhancement in the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue with the NMR-MOUSE: a feasibility study].
OBJECTIVE
The NMR-MOUSE is an open and mobile sensor for measuring NMR relaxation parameters in organic matters. T1-measurements of the subcutaneous fatty tissue and the skin are reported.


METHODS
For the first time, the NMR-MOUSE was employed to measure the signal recovery following saturation of the skin and the subcutaneous fatty tissue of three patients, before and after administering a contrast agent.


RESULTS
Despite a low signal-to-noise ratio, changes in the relaxation behaviour of the skin could be detected. Malignant tissue exhibits faster signal recovery than scar tissue and healthy tissue, which only show a small difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the relaxation behavior can be monitored with the NMR-MOUSE. Before the clinical use of the NMR-MOUSE, sensitivity, sensor mounting device, and sensor tuning must be improved. Further investigations need to be performed on a statistically relevant number of patients.
Heller
F
F
Frauenklinik Diakoniekrankenhaus, Schwäbisch Hall. fheller@diaksha.de
Schwaiger
A
A
Eymael
R
R
Schulz-Wendtland
R
R
Blümich
B
B
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D014159:Transducers