title: Clinical pitfalls related to short and long echo times in cerebral MR spectroscopy.
abstract: MR-spectroscopy (MRS) is a multiparameter diagnostic tool and modification of each parameter results in spectrum morphology changes. In particular, changing the echo time (TE) represents a useful tool to highlight different diagnostic elements, but also has significant impact on the spectrum morphology. Diagnostic errors can result if the role of TE is not properly considered. This article reviews the four most common TE-related pitfalls of MRS interpretation. Clinical practical methods to avoid such pitfalls are also suggested.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Dept, Medical University of South Carolina, 96, J. Lucas St., Charleston, SC, USA. Electronic address: cianfoni@musc.edu.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianfoni
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology section-radiology dept., University of Southern California, Los Angeles-CA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Re
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dubowitz
authors.affiliation: Radiology Dept, Medical University of South Carolina, 96, J. Lucas St., Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rumboldt
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Imbesi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers