[Clinical application of proton MR spectroscopy to hyperacute ischemic brain disease]

We examined the usefulness of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) for imaging diagnosis in 50 outpatients and 42 emergency patients with hyperacute ischemic brain disease. In hyperacute ischemic brain disease, a reduction of N-acetylaspartate and the appearance of lactate were found in the spectrum from immediately after the development of symptoms. Thereafter, a decrease in N-acetylaspartate and increase in lactate was observed with time, and the pattern of the spectrum was categorized. Moreover, evaluation of the penumbra was considered, including its relation with the intra-arterial signal as determined by the T(2) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image of magnetic resonance imaging. Our results obtained from the use of proton MR spectroscopy to perform cerebral evaluation on a cellular level were examined by evaluation of the ischemic penumbra of an ischemic brain disease, and were considered to be useful.