Assessment the Influencing Factors on MRS Signal Obtained from High Magnetic Field Strength (1.5T) MRI Scanners During the Application of Homemade Metabolite Phantom

Purpose: This study aimed to present a protocol for constructing MRS phantoms that are supposed to be subjective of spectroscopy using 1.5T machines. Methods: As phantom containers, laboratory clear/amber glass bottles and an internally-designed Plexiglass and PVC cylinders were tested to evaluate the effect of phantom material and design on produced signals. HPLC and distilled-water were evaluated as solvent of metabolites. Finally, a protocol was suggested. Results: The results revealed that the physical walls of internally-designed phantom affect the WS and its baseline noise. The results also showed that even the amber-pigments inside the bottles can affect the MRS signal. Accordingly, the combination of HPLC-water inside clear-glass containers is suggested. Conclusion: The suggested protocol is as follows, apply clear-glass container as phantom body, do not build internal-structures using physical walls of glass or any other materials. Apply HPLC-water as solvent instead of distilled-water. Check the purity of chemical metabolites.