In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of central neurocytomas

OBJECTIVE: The authors report on the metabolic features of central neurocyt omas observed during in vivo single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectro scopy. METHODS: Volume-selective single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectrosco py was performed with a 1.5-T unit using a point-resolved spectroscopy sequ ence (TR/TE = 2000 ms/135 and 270 ms) to obtain spectra of a single 8-cc vo xel. The subjects were five patients in the Department of Neurosurgery of S eoul National University Hospital whose central neurocytomas had been diagn osed histologically. The peak intensities of compounds containing choline ( Cho), N-acetylaspartate, creatine/phosphocreatine, and lactate were analyze d. RESULTS: The ratios of Cho to creatine/phosphocreatine and Cho to N-acetyla spartate were significantly higher than ratios in normal brains. A lactate signal was present, and an unidentified signal was also observed at 3.55 pp m, which might have been produced by inositol or glycine, CONCLUSION: A combination of the signal at 3.55 ppm and a prominent Cho pea k seems to be a characteristic feature of central neurocytomas. Volume-sele ctive single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy could provide add itional information to aid in diagnosing this condition.