Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in pediatric pilomyxoid astrocytoma.
OBJECTIVE
A pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PmA) is considered to be either a more aggressive variant of a pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) or a tumor of a separate entity.


METHODS
We present two cases of pediatric optic-chiasmatic PmA. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the PmA revealed decreased concentrations of total choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA). In contrast, proton MR spectra of PAs showed elevated Cho and decreased Cr and NAA signals.


CONCLUSIONS
Low metabolite concentrations in PmAs detected by MRSI may therefore help to distinguish PmAs from PAs preoperatively.
Cirak
Bayram
B
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. bayramcirak@yahoo.com
Horská
Alena
A
Barker
Peter B
PB
Burger
Peter C
PC
Carson
Benjamin S
BS
Avellino
Anthony M
AM
D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male
D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline