In Vivo Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Central Neurocytomas

Abstract

The authors report on the metabolic features of central neurocytomas observed during in vivo single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Volume-selective single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed with a 1.5-T unit using a point-resolved spectroscopy sequence (TR/TE = 2000 ms/135 and 270 ms) to obtain spectra of a single 8-cc voxel. The subjects were five patients in the Department of Neurosurgery of Seoul National University Hospital whose central neurocytomas had been diagnosed histologically. The peak intensities of compounds containing choline (Cho), N-acetylaspartate, creatine/phosphocreatine, and lactate were analyzed. The ratios of Cho to creatine/phosphocreatine and Cho to N-acetylaspartate were significantly higher than ratios in normal brains. A lactate signal was present, and an unidentified signal was also observed at 3.55 ppm, which might have been produced by inositol or glycine. A combination of the signal at 3.55 ppm and a prominent Cho peak seems to be a characteristic feature of central neurocytomas. Volume-selective single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy could provide additional information to aid in diagnosing this condition.