Body Temperature Mapping by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

There are numerous clinical situations, such as hyperthermia cancer therapy, under which body temperature has to be accurately evaluated. Magnetic Resonance Imaging presently offers the best set of non-invasive methods for body temperature mapping, including diffusion imaging, relaxation time measurement, magnetization transfer contrast and chemical shift spectroscopic imaging. The basic NMR parameters involved in each are first analyzed. The role of temperature in their physical variation is then presented and finally the different practical MRI methods are briefly discussed. In the present slate of available technology and for basic physical reasons, the T 1 method appears the best compromise at low and medium magnetic field in a limited temperature range. Chemical shift could be theoretically more promising but strictly depends from the homogeneity and stability of the magnet and will be available only at high or very high field.

Address for Correspondence: Prof C. J. LEWA, Institute of Experimental Physics University of Gdańsk ul. Wita Stwosza 57 80–952 Gdańsk, Poland Fax [phone]

Key Words:

• MRI hyperthermia
• temperature mapping
• spectroscopic imaging
• relaxation times
• diffusion
• magnetization transfer
• chemical shift.

Notes

Address for Correspondence: Prof C. J. LEWA, Institute of Experimental Physics University of Gdańsk ul. Wita Stwosza 57 80–952 Gdańsk, Poland Fax [phone]