Table of Contents
What is a brain spectroscopy?
Spectroscopy is a series of tests that are added to the MRI scan of your brain or spine to measure the chemical metabolism of a suspected tumor. MR spectroscopy analyzes molecules such as hydrogen ions or protons. Proton spectroscopy is more commonly used.
What is NAA Cr ratio?
The ratio of NAA to Cr (NAA/Cr) is considered a metabolic marker reflecting the functional status of neurones and axons in the brain, with a decrease indicating neuronal or axonal loss or dysfunction.
What can an MRA detect in the brain?
An MRA of the head is done to look at the blood vessels leading to the brain to check for a bulge (aneurysm), a clot, or a narrowing (stenosis) because of plaque.
How do you read a brain MRI?
MRI interpretation Systematic approach
- Start by checking the patient and image details.
- Look at all the available image planes.
- Compare the fat-sensitive with the water-sensitive images looking for abnormal signal.
- Correlate the MRI appearances with available previous imaging.
- Relate your findings to the clinical question.
How is MRI tuberculoma different from NCC?
Results: NCC cases showed no lipid peak whereas tuberculoma lesions except one showed predominant lipid peaks. Both lesions showed reduced N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. NCC lesions showed acetate/succinate or both peaks whereas these metabolites were normal in tuberculoma lesions.
What is NAA peak?
N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) shows the largest peak of the spectra at 2.02 ppm as a singlet peak and another quadruplet peak at 2.5 ppm. NAA peak also obtains contributions from N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate (NAAG), glycoproteins, and amino acid residues in peptides.
Why would a neurologist order an MRA?
Doctors use MRA to: identify abnormalities, such as aneurysms, in the aorta, both in the chest and abdomen, or in other arteries. detect atherosclerotic (plaque) disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
What can MR spectroscopy tell us about brain tumors?
MR spectroscopy graph shows the different chemical peaks of a suspected brain tumor. MR spectroscopy can be used to determine tumor type and aggressiveness, and distinguish between tumor recurrence and radiation necrosis. Different metabolites can indicate:
What is a lactate peak in MR spectroscopy?
Figure 1: Peaks in MR spectroscopy. This is a simulated spectrum of brain tissue with a small lactate peak to show its position, although the lactate peak is not typically present in normal tissue. MR spectra of tumors vary primarly by the growth rate of the tumor rather than whether they are primary brain tumors or metastatic growths.
What is the volume of MR spectroscopy in the brain?
MR Spectroscopy in the Brain. MR S in the brain is generally performed in conjunction with MRI which identifies the abnormality. For single voxel techniques, a volume of 8 cc is generally recommended at 1.5 T. A smaller voxel can be used but the signal-to-noise ratio ( SNR) will be reduced ( Fig. 29-3 ).
How is MR spectroscopy done in clinic?
Most clinic MR spectroscopy is done using spectra derived from protons. Because the resonant frequency of a proton is altered by its chemical environment, each biological chemical (eg. lactate) produces a peak at a different resonant frequency.