Reproducibility of 1H MR spectroscopy of hip bone marrow at 3 tesla

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility of fat content (FC) values in five different anatomical areas of proximal femur by the means of 1H 3 Tesla MR spectroscopy and to evaluate if any statistical difference exists when comparing right side to left side FC values in the same individual. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three volunteers underwent unilateral 1H MR spectroscopy of the hip. From 1 to 4 weeks later, they repeat the MR examination of the same hip to assess the reproducibility of the technique. Fifteen other volunteers underwent a bilateral 1H MR hip spectroscopy to compare right and left side FC values. Results: The reproducibility of 1H MR spectroscopy was high in all the anatomic areas considered, ranging from 0.90 to 0.98. No statistically significant difference was found when the fat content values on the right side were compared to those on the left side. (P > 0.16). Conclusion: The 3 Tesla 1H MR spectroscopy of hip bone marrow permitted highly reproducible fat content values in all the five anatomic areas examined. No statistical significant difference existed when comparing fat content values of the right side to those of the left side in the same individual. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.