IN-VIVO H-1 MRS AND IN-VITRO MULTINUCLEAR MR STUDY OF HUMAN BRAIN-TUMORS

Localized in vivo H-1 MR spectra of four patients with brain tumors an d in vitro multinuclear. (H-1, C-13 and P-31) MR characterization of w ater soluble and lipid components of the same tumors after surgical re moval are reported herein. The in vivo spectra of the neoplastic regio ns of all patients showed N-Acetyl-Aspartate/Choline (NAA/Cho), Cholin e/Creatine (Cho/Cr) and N-Acetyl-Aspartate/Creatine (NAA/Cr) metabolit e ratios markedly different from those of the controlateral healthy ti ssue. In vitro H-1 MR measurements allowed for the identification of a much larger number of metabolites than those measured in vivo. Indeed , well resolved H-1, C-13 and P-31 MR spectra were obtained for water soluble and lipid components in all cases. Our data confirm that some metabolites observed in vitro could be specific markers of brain tumor s.