Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in diagnosis of brain tumors.

METHODS

Proton MR spectroscopy was performed in 49 patient with brain tumors (12 low- grade astrocytomas, 7 anaplastic astrositomas, 6 glioblastomas, 13 meningiomas, 11 metastases). Proton MR spectroscopy was performed with a 1.5 T MR unit.

RESULTS

In patients with brain tumors, a decrease in N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and an increase in choline (Cho) level were detected when compared with those in the spectra obtained from normal tissue. Non-neoplazic lesions such as cerebral infarctions and brain abscesses are marked by decrease in Cho, creatin (Cr) and NAA.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Proton MR may be complementary to conventional MR imaging and CT. We discuss the clinical impact of MR spectroscopy in diagnosis of tumours and their differentiation from non-neoplastic lesions.