Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: clinical applications in patients with brain lesions
Sérgio Luiz Ramin1, Waldir Antonio Tognola, Antonio Ronaldo Spotti
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. sergioramin@cerebraecoluna.com.br
Context:
Proton spectroscopy has been recognized as a safe and noninvasive diagnostic method that, coupled with magnetic resonance imaging techniques, allows for the correlation of anatomical and physiological changes in the metabolic and biochemical processes occurring within previously-determined volumes in the brain. There are two methods of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: single voxel and chemical shift imaging.
Objective:
The present work focused on the clinical applications of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with brain lesions.
Conclusions:
In vivo proton spectroscopy allows the detection of certain metabolites in brain tissue, such as N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, choline, myoinositol, amino acids and lipids, among others. N-acetyl aspartate is a neuronal marker and, as such, its concentration will decrease in the presence of aggression to the brain. Choline increase is the main indicator of neoplastic diseases. Myoinositol is raised in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Amino acids are encountered in brain abscesses. The presence of lipids is related to necrotic processes.
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