3.0 T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver: Quantification of choline

Figure 1 Detailed scanning protocols and statistical analysis. BMI: Body mass index; MRS: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Cho/Lip2: Choline/lipid2; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging.

Figure 2 Scatter plots of relationships. A: Between choline/lipid2 (Cho/Lip2) and body mass index (BMI), a good inverse correlation was observed; B: Between Cho/Lip2 and age, a moderate inverse correlation was observed.

Figure 3 Point resolved spectroscopy-localized single voxel ¹H magnetic resonance spectrum. A: Originating from liver parenchyma of an obese and elderly (body mass index = 30.04, 52 years) volunteer. No observable choline peak was detected at 3.2 ppm; B: Originating from liver parenchyma of a lean and young volunteer (body mass index = 18.87, 23 years). High-choline peak was detected at 3.2 ppm.

Figure 4 High-choline peak group. A: Had lower body mass index than the low-choline group; B: Was younger than the low-choline group. BMI: Body mass index.