Yukihisa Takayama1, Akihiro Nishie1,
Takashi Yoshiura1, Tomohiro Nakayama1, Eiki Nagao1,
Naoki Kato2, Satoshi Yoshise2, Shutaro Saiki2,
Dirk Burdinski3, Holger Grull3, Jochen Keupp3,
Hiroshi Honda1
1Department of Clinical Radiology,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; 2Philips
Electronics Japan, Tokyo, Japan; 3Philips Research Europe,
Hamburg, Germany
Chemical
Exchange-dependent Saturation Transfer (CEST) is a novel contrast mechanism
for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, but it is not yet common in clinical
practice. We investigated the feasibility of CEST imaging on a clinical MR
scanner by in vitro study using a ytterbium complex of paramagnetic CEST
agents. The CEST effect could be observed at specific offset frequencies. In
addition, it increased and decreased depending on the degrees of
concentration, pH or solution. We showed the clinical potential of CEST
imaging using these agents, but further modifications, such as optimized
presaturation RF pulse, imaging protocols or other techniques, remain
necessary.