Correlation of spectroscopy and magnetization transfer imaging in the evaluation of demyelinating lesions and normal appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis.
Magnetization transfer imaging (MT) and localized proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were utilized in the evaluation of lesions (high signal abnormalities on T2-weighted images) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Eleven patients with a clinical diagnosis of MS were independently evaluated with both 1H-MRS and MT. The magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of lesions was compared with the relative concentration of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and a composite peak at 2.1 to 2.6 ppm termed "marker peaks." The MTR of white matter lesions in the MS patients was markedly decreased (6-34%; normal approximately 42%), and correlated well with increase in the marker peaks region (0.94-3.89). There was no correlation between the relative concentration of NAA and MTR. Increased resonance peaks in the 2.1 to 2.6 ppm range and marked decreases in MTR may be a relatively specific indicators of demyelination.
Hiehle
J F
JF
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104.
Lenkinski
R E
RE
Grossman
R I
RI
Dousset
V
V
Ramer
K N
KN
Schnall
M D
MD
Cohen
J A
JA
Gonzalez-Scarano
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
D010725:Phosphocreatine; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D006859:Hydrogen; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline