M. Kamba et al., Measurement of relative fat content by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy using a clinical imager, J MAGN R I, 11(3), 2000, pp. 330-335
The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of a proton magnet
ic resonance (MR) spectroscopy-based technique using a clinical 1.5-T MR im
ager for assessment of relative fat content, Proton MR spectra were obtaine
d from a trunk phantom and 23 volunteers using a single free induction deca
y measurement. The ratios of fat methyl and methylene proton resonance to t
he water proton resonance were compared with the ratio of oil weight to wat
er weight for the phantom, and with the ratio of body fat to lean body mass
estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis for the human subjects. Good
linear relationships were found between the MR metabolite ratio and the ra
tio of oil weight to water weight (r = 0.9989), and the ratio of body fat t
o lean body mass (r = 0.9169), This MR spectroscopy-based technique is suff
iciently accurate and may be applicable to assessment of human body composi
tion. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.