Chapter 2

MR Spectroscopy in Neuroradiology

Stephan Ulmer and Frank J. Ahlhelm

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the imaging modality of choice for most questions in neuroradiology. However, MR spectroscopy (MRS) has been used in both in vitro and in vivo long before the wide distribution of MRI in a clinical setting. The techniques are similar as a RF pulse with Larmor frequency is used to excite the hydrogen nuclei, in MRS, however, there is no read-out gradient. Instead of acquiring the spatial information of a probe, the frequency information is used to identify different chemical compounds. The different peak intensities change according to the molecular composition of the sample, which may be different depending on the underlying disease. This provides different information about basic metabolic processes, such as energy metabolism, neuronal integrity, cell proliferation and degradation and necrotic changes in the tissue. The scope of this chapter is to give an overview on the physical background of the technique and typical clinical applications of MRS, such as brain development, noxa during pregnancy, developmental delay, mitochondrial disorders, leukodystrophias, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, stroke and brain tumors.

Total Pages: 93-120 (28)

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