Eric T. Peterson1, Jeremy W. Gordon2,
Sean B. Fain2, Ian J. Rowland2
1Biomedical Engineering,
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 2Medical
Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
Hepatic metabolism studies using hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate often yield additional resonances associated with pyruvate and pyruvate hydrate. To investigate the origin of these additional resonances, we have used spectrally sensitive imaging and intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent. Spectral information strongly suggested that the additional resonances derive from the vena cava. This is attributed to bulk magnetic susceptibility effects due to alignment parallel with B0. Intravenous contrast diminished the additional high field but not the low field resonances, supporting the conclusion that the additional peaks arise predominantly from an intravascular compartment.