PROTON-DECOUPLED F-19 SPECTROSCOPY OF 5-FU CATABOLITES IN HUMAN LIVER

An RF network and a dual-tuned surface coil are described for obtainin g proton-decoupled, NOE enhanced F-19 spectra from a whole body clinic al imager operating at 1.5 Tesla. The network removes F-19 frequency n oise from the decoupler transmitter and prevents preamplifier saturati on from high-level decoupling signals. Proton decoupling of F-19 spect ra was optimized using a sample of urine containing 5-fluorouracil (5- FU) and its catabolite fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL). Proton-decoupled F- 19 spectroscopy in vivo is demonstrated by obtaining both nonlocalized spectra and spectra localized with three-dimensional chemical shift i maging from the liver of patients undergoing 5-FU chemotherapy.