ANTHROPOMORPHIC H-1 MRS HEAD PHANTOM

An anthropomorphic H-1 MRS head phantom has been developed which mimic s the in vivo structure, metabolite concentrations, and relaxation tim es (for both water and metabolites) of human brain tissue. Different b rain regions and two tumor types, fluid-containing ventricles, an air- filled sinus, and subcutaneous fat are all simulated. The main tissue- mimicking materials are gelatin/agar mixtures with metabolites and sev eral other ingredients added. Their composition and method of producti on are thoroughly described. T-1's and T-2's of water in the phantom a re very close to in vivo values, and metabolite T-1's and T-2's are co nsiderably more realistic than those in aqueous solutions. Spectra and relaxation times for the pig brain were also acquired and compare wel l with those of the phantom. The realistic properties of this phantom should be useful for testing spectral quantitation and localization. ( C) 1998 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.