Magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggests key differences in the metastatic behaviour of medulloblastoma.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic medulloblastoma has a poorer prognosis than localised disease in part due to inherent properties of the tumour. 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a powerful method for investigating tumour metabolism in vivo.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging and short echo time (Te 30 ms) single voxel MRS were performed on the primary tumour of 16 children with medulloblastoma prior to surgical resection. Tumour volumes were calculated using a segmentation technique and the MRS was analysed using LCModel.


RESULTS
Patients with metastatic disease had primary tumours which were smaller (p=0.01), had higher levels of total choline (p=0.03) and lower levels of mobile lipids (p=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Metastatic medulloblastomas have metabolite profiles indicative of increased cell growth and decreased cell death compared with localised tumours reflecting intrinsic differences in underlying biology. Localised tumours with an MRS metabolite profile similar to those with metastatic disease may be at increased risk of metastatic relapse.
Peet
Andrew C
AC
Academic Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK. acpeet@doctors.org.uk
Davies
Nigel P
NP
Ridley
Lee
L
Brundler
Marie-Anne
MA
Kombogiorgas
Dimitris
D
Lateef
Shaheen
S
Natarajan
Kal
K
Sgouros
Spyros
S
MacPherson
Lesley
L
Grundy
Richard G
RG
D000293:Adolescent; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000556:secondary*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D047368:Tumor Burden
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen