KBDM as a tool for Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy signal processing

Author(s)

Cíntia Maira Pereira da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2013-12-04

Examining board members

Alberto Tannus; Jose Pedro Donoso Gonzalez; Carlos Ernesto Garrido Salmon

• Advisor: Alberto Tannus

Abstract

The precision and accuracy of the most widely used methods to perform Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) data processing based on the Fourier Transform (FT), require appropriate suppression (which is far from trivial) and long acquisitions to obtain high spectral resolution. Furthermore, FT poses difficulty when there are missing data in the time domain. This occurs because of reduction of the acquisition time and consequently also in the number of acquired points, or because of artifacts during acquisition, or even intentional exclusion of the first signal points for the elimination of broad resonances that are producing the distorted baseline in the frequency domain. In this study, we propose the use of the Krylov Basis Diagonalization Method (KBDM) formalism as an alternative to some of FT limitations. The method adjusts signals of Free Induction Decay (FID) experiments with a sum of complex harmonic functions, exponentially damped, allowing easy manipulation of its characterization parameters. The KBDM is numerically more effective for truncated signal analysis and has several features that make it possible to remove peaks more efficiently, such as the residual water peak. Moreover, we introduced the possibility of quantification of MRS data with the described method. To evaluate the sensitivity, efficiency and reproducibility of the method for quantifying and analyzing truncated signals, and through the clinical spectra simulations and experiments in phantoms that would represent the brain metabolic environment, we proposed to perform proton MRS at different noise levels and with small variations of N- acetyl aspartate (NAA) metabolite. These studies allowed to prove the feasibility of the method to process MRS data and verified its potential in complementing techniques currently employed, especially when a greater temporal and spectral resolution is required, more than the limit imposed by the Uncertainty Relation of FT formalism. Furthermore, it is also a desirable effortless tool of handling specific peaks (e.g., exclusion and quantification). Exciting prospects from this work include the introduction of KBDM as an efficient and adjuvant technique to functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), for studying the brain functions, in MRS sequence to identify rapid variation in spectroscopic lines associated to metabolic activities in the brain. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15741-0 - FDM as a tool for Time Resolved Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.
• Grantee: Cíntia Maira Pereira da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master