Multi‐Parameter Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Cervix

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to examine cervix‐adapted versions of steady‐state multi‐parameter MRS (SMP MRS) and flip‐angle‐corrected multi‐parameter MRS (CMP MRS), comparing estimated cervix T1 _w and T2 _w for the two sequences. CMP MRS and SMP MRS were adapted from liver versions of the sequences, adding long TR acquisitions to better estimate cervix T1 _w . CMP MRS differs from SMP MRS by correcting for inaccurate B1 calibration. Both CMP MRS and SMP MRS were acquired at 3 T in 13 adult female subjects (10 healthy, 3 with cancer). Values of T1 _w and T2 _w were estimated from both sequences, and the relationship between the values was examined. While there was no significant difference in T1 _w given by the two sequences (CMP T1 _w  = 1568 ms, SMP T1 _w  = 1571 ms, p  = 0.95; SMP T1 _w  = 0.657 CMP T1 _w  + 541 ms, r  = 0.36), there was a single case where SMP MRS underestimated T1 _w by over 400 ms. A significant difference was observed in T2 _w (CMP T2 _w  = 39.9 ms, SMP T2 _w  = 45.6 ms, p  = 0.001; SMP T2 _w  = 0.812 CMP T2 _w  + 13.3 ms, r  = 0.87). Cervix adapted CMP MRS and SMP MRS both successfully estimated values of T1 _w and T2 _w , though the single case where SMP MRS gave a non‐physical T1 _w suggests CMP MRS may be better suited for cervix T1 _w estimation.