The case of the missing glutamine

A theoretical study was performed to determine the accuracy and repeatability of multiple one‐dimensional pulse sequences in the quantification of glutamine concentration at 3 T. Variable repeatability (12% to > 50%) and significant absolute error (−50% to +70%) were noted for the eight pulse sequences considered. Data acquired in vivo using three of the pulse sequences used for simulation matched the predicted repeatability well; among the pulse sequences considered, point‐resolved spectroscopy (TE = 80 ms) offered minimal error and acceptable repeatability (12%) for brain glutamine measurements. Following correction for the expected bias of each pulse sequence, consistent glutamine measurements, in the 1‐m M range, were reported with the three sequences. An explanation for the mismatch between in vivo 1 H MRS and in vitro 13 C/ 1 H MRS at high field was attempted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.