Evaluation of the clinical performance of automated proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children

Abstract

Because expeditious neuroimaging is imperative in pediatric patients, we evaluated automated procedures for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) of the brain of children. 1H MRS was performed on a 1.5-T GE Signa. The protocol included stimulated echo-acquisition mode and spin-echo point resolved spectroscopy. The automated routine included adjustment of first-order gradient shims (x, y, z1) to optimize magnetic field homogeneity, transmit power, center frequency, receiver gain, and water suppression. All spectra were processed with the use of spectroscopy analysis software from General Electric on a Sun workstation. The use of the automated procedures reduced the length of our 1H MRS protocol by 50%. Magnetic field homogeneity was within our accepted standards (7 +/- 2 Hz). Water suppression was within range of our accepted factors (1000-10,000). However, on certain occasions, baseline distortions affected resonances in the 3.22-4.04 ppm range. Shortening of the time required for clinical 1H MRS will increase its application in evaluating children.