[Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of naso-sinus tumors]

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has been developed as a new application of nuclear magnetic resonance. By means of MRS, internal chemical information can be non-invasively measured. In this study, the 31P MRS of naso-sinus tumors was measured and evaluated. The peaks of 31P MRS, such as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), Creatine phosphate (PCr), Phosphodiester (PME), Inorganic phosphate (Pi), and Phosphomonoester (PME) can be identified. Phosphomonoesters (PME) are precursors of membrane phospholipids. Phosphodiesters (PDE) are metabolites of phospholipids. Compared with benign tumors, the 31P MRS of malignant tumors shows a higher PME peak and lower PDE and PCr peaks. These results indicate that malignant tumors are characterized by chemical changes in membrane metabolism.