PROTON MR SPECTROSCOPY OF THE NORMAL HUMAN PROSTATE WITH AN ENDORECTAL COIL AND A DOUBLE SPIN-ECHO PULSE SEQUENCE

This report describes the use of an endorectal coil and a double spin- echo pulse sequence for localized H-1 MR spectroscopy of the normal pr ostate in volunteers. The spectra showed well-resolved signals for cit rate, (phospho)choline, and creatine protons. Additional signals were assigned to taurine and myoinositol protons. J modulation of the main and outer peaks of citrate could be monitored in vivo. Apparent relaxa tion times T-1 and T-2 have been estimated for the methyl protons of c holines and creatine. An effective T-1 relaxation time was estimated f or the main peaks of the citrate multiplet. Ratios of the integrals of these resonances have been evaluated, and tissue contents of choline and creatine were estimated using the H2O signal as an internal refere nce. Spectroscopic imaging experiments revealed a tower relative citra te signal in central parts of the prostate than in peripheral parts.