Musculoskeletal spectroscopy

Abstract

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of skeletal muscle has been successfully applied by physiologists over several decades, particularly for studies of high-energy phosphates (by (31)P-MRS) and glycogen (by (13)C-MRS). Unfortunately, the observation of these heteronuclei requires equipment that is typically not available on clinical MR scanners, such as broadband capability and a second channel for decoupling and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE). On the other hand, (1)H-MR spectra of skeletal muscle can be acquired on many routine MR systems and also provide a wealth of physiological information. In particular, studies of intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) attract physiologists and endocrinologists because IMCL levels are related to insulin resistance and thus can lead to a better understanding of major health problems in industrial countries. The combination of (1)H-, (13)C-, and (31)P-MRS gives access to the major long- and short-term energy sources of skeletal muscle. This review summarizes the technical aspects and unique MR-methodological features of the different nuclei. It reviews clinical studies that employed MRS of one or more nuclei, or combinations of MRS with other MR modalities. It also illustrates that MR spectra contain additional physiological information that is not yet used in routine clinical applications.

Discrepancies between the fate of myoblast xenograft in mouse leg muscle and NMR label persistency after loading with Gd-DTPA or SPIOs

“…48 It could be adapted to measure contractility, perfusion and oxygenation in areas with high therapeutic cell density detected by contrast enhancement on high-resolution anatomical images. Similarly, high-resolution chemical shift NMR spectroscopy can quantify the creatine pool, 49 an index of muscle metabolic activity, which could be used to evaluate energy metabolism in grafted areas as well. If successful, the combination of therapeutic cell topographical mapping and functional evaluation by NMR techniques would give NMR a definitive advantage over competing techniques for cell transplantation monitoring in vivo.…”

In vivo MR spectroscopy using 3 Tesla to investigate the metabolic profiles of joint fluids in different types of knee diseases

“…Proton (${}^{1}H$) MR spectroscopy (MRS), a noninvasive method to identify metabolic components in regions of interest, provides information on molecular characterizations, and variations in metabolite signals could represent different pathologic conditions 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 . Proton MRS has been used extensively to investigate tumor metabolism in brain lesions, but its use has been limited in musculoskeletal lesions 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 .…”

“…Recent studies that used proton MRS have opened up the feasibility of investigating muscle metabolism 7 , 13 , 14 . Proton MRS studies have been performed to evaluate musculoskeletal tumors 8 , 9 , 12 , 15 , 16 and muscle metabolism in neuromuscular diseases (7) and to study human muscle with normal and different pathological conditions 5 , 6 , 13 , 14 , 17 …”

Imagerie et spectroscopie par résonance magnétique nucléaire du muscle strié squelettique

“…La spectroscopie RMN in vivo s'est avérée être un outil extrêmement puissant pour l'exploration atraumatique du métabolisme énergétique musculaire, au moyen des noyaux 1 H, 31 P, 13 C pour ne nommer que les plus importants (Boesch 2007). La spectroscopie du RMN du 31 P identifie et quantifie des molécules-clés du métabolisme énergé-tique telles que la phosphocréatine, l'ATP et le phosphate inorganique (Kemp et al 2007).…”