Human cerebral neoplasms studied using MR spectroscopy: a review

Of primary central nervous system tumors treated each year, the majority are glioma, followed by meningioma and then pituitary adenoma. While the use of magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomographic imaging is well established in the diagnosis and management of such tumors, these techniques have a limited role in determining the metabolic state, either prior to or following therapy. Multinuclear MR spectroscopy, on the other hand, provides information on tumor metabolism and the effect of therapy on tumor viability. This paper reviews MR spectroscopic studies performed on patients with central nervous system tumors and discusses the impact that such studies have had on tumor diagnosis and management.