Synopsis

Both ¹H and ³¹P MRS are powerful tools with clinical potential that can provide biomarkers and non-invasive windows on metabolism in vivo. This educational describes the characteristics of ¹H and ³¹P skeletal muscle spectra and outlines both well established and emerging metabolic markers derived from them. Key points for successful acquisition are discussed together with the interpretation of the biomarker and its utility in the context of other clinical and imaging markers.