Computer simulation of MRS localization techniques: an analysis of ISIS.

Computer simulations were used to evaluate the ISIS localization technique as implemented with both head and surface coils. The effects of chemical shift, B1 inhomogeneity, repetition time, T2 relaxation, a postacquisition saturation pulse, and a B1 insensitive observation pulse were examined. Integrals of ISIS signals over the sample volume showed that significant signal loss from the volume of interest (VOI) and contamination from outside the VOI can occur for both head and surface coil ISIS experiments. The results showed that the saturation pulse, order of the various ISIS acquisitions, and repetition time affect contamination but not signal loss. In addition, short T2 and high RF power can combine synergistically to degrade the selective inversion pulses, causing further contamination and signal loss.