Purpose: To implement in vivo detection of lactate in the presence of lipids by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at a 3 Tesla (T) field strength for potential applications in human tumors outside of the brain.
Materials and methods: The BASING J-difference sequence was implemented in the presence of high lipid concentrations in phantoms and in vivo at 3 Tesla.
Results: The effectiveness of the lactate editing scheme is demonstrated in phantoms containing both lactate and lipids and in vivo in ischemic induced human muscle.
Conclusion: The ability of the BASING J-difference technique to detect lactate in the presence of strong lipid signals outside the brain at 3T is feasible. This robust technique should permit noninvasive lactate measurements in human tumors to investigate its potential as a prognostic indicator.
(c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.