Quantitative MRS: comparison of time domain and time domain frequency domain methods using a novel test procedure

For quantitative analysis of in vivo MR spectra, a state-of-the-art time do main method was compared with a recently reported time domain frequency dom ain method which uses wavelets for background characterization. The compari son was made on the basis of results for simulated test problems that were constructed by combining measured and simulated MRS data at different signa l-to-noise ratios in order to simultaneously reflect real world difficultie s, in particular the overlapping background problem, and to allow for quant itative judgment of a method's accuracy. Incorporating prior knowledge was also considered. The results obtained give insight into the accuracy of the methods when applied to measured MRS data. Due to the improved background characterization, the time domain frequency domain method outperformed the time domain method in some of the test cases. Both methods were also applie d to serial brain MR spectra of a healthy volunteer on 10 occasions. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.