Evaluation of Efficacy of an Automated Single-Voxel Proton MRS Algorithm on a 3T System

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a fully automatic, single-voxel, proton MR spectroscopy algorithm on a 3.0T MR system.
Methods: The PROBE/SVQ algorithm (GE Medical Systems) was evaluated on a General Electric (GE) Signa LX-3T system. Ten normal volunteers (female, 21.1±2.0 years old) participated in the study. Nine representative regions of interest were examined, namely, right and left frontal white matter; right and left parietal white matter; right and left basal ganglia; right and left dentate nucleus; and pons.
Results: The mean coefficients of variation in all regions for the N-acetyl-aspartate to creatine ratio (NAA/Cr), choline to creatine ratio (Cho/Cr), and choline to N-acetyl-aspartate ratio (Cho/NAA) were 10.2±2.4%, 11.4±3.2% and 12.6±1.4%, respectively.
Conclusion: A fully automated spectroscopic examination under clinical setting utilizing the PROBE/SVQ algorithm appears to be a reliable method, extending the window of routine clinical assessment of brain metabolism.