NMR In Vivo Spectroscopy in Tumor Diagnosis

Abstract

Although most interest in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) centres around its imaging capability, the technique was originally used in the laboratory to determine the relative concentrations of metabolites and intracellular pH. Subsequently, in vivo studies in animals demonstrated that it could be used to study metabolism of muscle, various organs and tumours. Its noninvasiveness and lack of radiation hazard has led to its introduction into clinical practice, especially for the study of muscle disorders. It is now hoped that the technique will also be of value in the monitoring of tumour response to drug therapy. This has been made possible by the introduction of higher strength magnets in which the whole body or limbs can be placed.