Proton MR spectroscopy of the normal human prostate with an endorectal coil and a double spin‐echo pulse sequence

Abstract

This report describes the use of an endorectal coil and a double spin‐echo pulse sequence for localized ¹H MR spectroscopy of the normal prostate in volunteers. The spectra showed well‐resolved signals for citrate, (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 relaxation times T₁ and T₂ have been estimated for the methyl protons of cholines and creatine. An effective T₁ relaxation time was estimated for 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 reference. Spectro‐scopic imaging experiments revealed a lower relative citrate signal in central parts of the prostate than in peripheral parts.