Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy in the preoperative evaluation of symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of 31P-MRS (MR spectroscopy) in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of patients referred for endarterectomy.


METHODS
Nine patients with unilateral, hemodynamically significant stenosis in the region of the common carotid bifurcation were examined pre- and post-operatively with CT, SPECT (regional cerebral blood flow), transcranial Doppler, and duplex sonography, and they also underwent neuropsychologic investigation. Phosphorus-31 MRS of each hemisphere was performed before and 27-148 days after surgery. The relative concentrations of phosphomono- and -diesters, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine, and ATP were estimated.


RESULTS
No definite changes in concentrations could be detected for any of the metabolites.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of changes was probably due to well-functioning collaterals and to the partial volume effect, whereby changes in a focal region are hidden when larger volumes are studied.
Ekholm
S
S
Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Forssell-Aronsson
E
E
Starck
G
G
Kjellman
L
L
Lundh
T
T
Holm
J
J
Volkmann
R
R
Blomstrand
C
C
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003097:Collateral Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care
D010710:Phosphates