Nuclear magnetic resonance parameters for monitoring coagulation of liver tissue

Abstract

A new NMR parameter is suggested as a sensitive tool for monitoring thermal coagulation of liver tissue. That parameter is the proton magnetization exchange time (τMEX) between water and the proteins. τMEX was very sensitive to coagulation and insensitive to temperature, therefore representing only damage to the tissue, independent of effects caused by temperature fluctuations. The measurement of τMEX by two different methods revealed the existence of two or more groups of proteins, characterized by their different transverse relaxation time, and τMEX. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.