Reproducibility of 3.0 Tesla 1H-MR Spectroscopy of the liver

1H-MRS presents as a very suitable candidate to score the degree of hepatic
steatosis and to follow up patients in therapeutic trials. Despite the
increasing use of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in determining
hepatic steatosis, there is very little literature addressing the
reproducibility of this technique, especially at 3.0 Tesla. Intra-subject
variability has never been addressed. Normal variation is very important when
multiple investigations are planned to follow the course of hepatic steatosis.
We are very interested in both *with-in scan* reproducibility, when successive
acquisitions in different voxels in the liver are made while the subject is in
the scanner and *between weeks* reproducibility when measurements are repeated
2-4 weeks later in multiple voxels in the liver.

Assessment of intra en inter reproducibility of 3.0 Tesla proton magnetic
resonance spectroscopy in assessing hepatic steatosis. Reproducibility of
visible peaks in water unsuppressed and suppressed MR spectra.

A prospective reproducibility study

The volunteers in this study will undergo two 1H-MRS examinations. 1H-MRS is a
non-invasive (no injected contrast agent), non-ionizing 45 minute examination
in the MRI scanner. The volunteer has to lie still on his/ her back in a MRI
scanner for about 45 minutes. There is no breath hold scanning during this
examination. There is not a direct advantage for the volunteer. There will be
little physical and psychological discomfort associated with participation.