RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Proton MR spectroscopy of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: in vitro characteristics. JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 1485 OP 1490 VO 17 IS 8 A1 Mukherji, S K A1 Schiro, S A1 Castillo, M A1 Kwock, L A1 Soper, R A1 Blackstock, W A1 Shockley, W A1 Weissler, M YR 1996 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/17/8/1485.abstract AB PURPOSE To determine the ability of in vitro high-field-strength proton MR spectroscopy to differentiate squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract from uninvolved muscle.METHODS Surgical specimens of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the upper aerodigestive tract (n = 18) and from muscle (n = 13) were examined in vitro using high-field (11 T) proton MR spectroscopy. The peak heights of choline and creatine were measured for tumor and muscle at echo times of 136 and 272. The choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) ratio was compared between tumor and normal tissue for each echo time. Student's t test was used to determine whether a significant difference existed between proton MR spectroscopic measurements of the Cho/Cr ratio for tumor and muscle.RESULTS The mean Cho/Cr ratio was consistently higher in tumor than in muscle at all echo times; however, statistically significant differences between tumor and muscle were identified only at longer echo times (136 and 272).CONCLUSION The Cho/Cr peak height ratio can be used to differentiate tumor from muscle in vitro (at 11 T).