Volume 48, Issue 1 pp. 153-159

Original Research

Reproducibility of relaxometry of human lumbar vertebrae at 3 Tesla using ¹H MR spectroscopy

Bernhard Neumayer MSc,

Corresponding Author

Bernhard Neumayer MSc

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-4439-4799

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Graz, Austria

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

Address reprint requests to: B. N., Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, Austria. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Thomas Widek MSc,

Thomas Widek MSc

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Graz, Austria

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

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Rudolf Stollberger PhD,

Rudolf Stollberger PhD

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

Institute of Medical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

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Eva Scheurer MD, MSc,

Eva Scheurer MD, MSc

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

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Bernhard Neumayer MSc,

Corresponding Author

Bernhard Neumayer MSc

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-4439-4799

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Graz, Austria

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

Address reprint requests to: B. N., Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, Austria. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Thomas Widek MSc,

Thomas Widek MSc

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging, Graz, Austria

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

Search for more papers by this author

Rudolf Stollberger PhD,

Rudolf Stollberger PhD

BioTechMed-Graz, Austria

Institute of Medical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

Search for more papers by this author

Eva Scheurer MD, MSc,

Eva Scheurer MD, MSc

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 12 December 2017

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.25912

Citations: 2

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

MR spectroscopy is widely used for fat fraction quantification of human lumbar vertebrae. However, the measurements need to be corrected for relaxation effects.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility of relaxometry in human lumbar vertebrae required for the correction of fat fraction measurements using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 Tesla. Such information provides error estimates and guidance regarding reliability for future studies.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

SUBJECTS

Forty-six healthy volunteers (22 female [f], 24 male [m]) participated in this study.

FIELD STRENGTH

All subjects underwent three consecutive multi-T_E/multi-T_R MR spectroscopy measurements at 3 Tesla.

ASSESSMENT

A total of 2580 spectra of lumbar vertebrae L2 and L3 of 43 subjects (21f, 22m) were quantified using jMRUI software. Data were exported and mono-exponential fits were applied to the signals of water and fat compartments to derive relaxation times and calculate the fat fraction corrected for relaxation effects. Finally, relaxation times and fat fraction results of repeated measurements were analyzed for reproducibility.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Reproducibility was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). Influences of volunteer age and sex were tested by analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

The CV for all calculated parameters ranged between 1.22% (T₂ of the fat compartment) and 3.02% (T₁ of the fat compartment). Relaxation times and fat fraction were statistically different for female and male volunteers (P < 0.01) and relaxation times of the water compartment showed significant (P < 0.01) correlation with the fat fraction.

DATA CONCLUSION

Based on repeated acquisitions using the measurement parameters applied in this study, magnetic resonance spectroscopy allowed a reproducible calculation of the fat fraction corrected for relaxation effects. T₁ of the water compartment showed high reproducibility and correlation with the fat fraction. It, therefore, might be considered as a parameter linked to the composition of the water compartment and patient health.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.

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Citing Literature

Volume48, Issue1

July 2018

Pages 153-159

Reproducibility of relaxometry of human lumbar vertebrae at 3 Tesla using ¹H MR spectroscopy

Abstract

BACKGROUND

PURPOSE

STUDY TYPE

SUBJECTS

FIELD STRENGTH

ASSESSMENT

STATISTICAL TESTS

RESULTS

DATA CONCLUSION

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Reproducibility of relaxometry of human lumbar vertebrae at 3 Tesla using 1H MR spectroscopy

Abstract

BACKGROUND

PURPOSE

STUDY TYPE

SUBJECTS

FIELD STRENGTH

ASSESSMENT

STATISTICAL TESTS

RESULTS

DATA CONCLUSION

References

Citing Literature

References

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Reproducibility of relaxometry of human lumbar vertebrae at 3 Tesla using ¹H MR spectroscopy