Influence of broader spectral linewidths generated in vivo on metabolite quantification

To understand how linewidth impacts the current best practice of quantification, the novel approach was used to measure spectra of several linewidths from each subject in contrast to the traditional approach of mathematically broadening one reference spectrum. Mathematical broadening of an in vivo spectrum reproduced the lowering of tCr concentration reported in the past. In contrast, tCr concentrations measured from broader spectra obtained using suboptimal shims tended to be higher than those measured using ideal shims. Further inquiry into the exact source of these artifacts is likely to lead to corrective approaches.