Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in focal brain lesions

To describe the spectrum of Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy in focal brain lesions and determine its diagnostic accuracy using histopathology as gold standard in differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic focal brain lesions. The study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2011-06, Vol.61 (6), p.540-543
Main Authors: MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ ALAM, SAJJAD, Zafar, HAFEEZ, Saima, AKHTER, Waseem
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Neoplasms - diagnosis
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
General aspects
Histocytochemistry
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Predictive Value of Tests
Sensitivity and Specificity
Young Adult
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Summary:To describe the spectrum of Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy in focal brain lesions and determine its diagnostic accuracy using histopathology as gold standard in differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic focal brain lesions. The study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from Dec 2006 till Jan 2009. Fifty three patients found to have focal brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included in the study. Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was performed in these focal lesions. These lesions were deemed neoplastic and non-neoplastic on MR Spectrum findings. Correlation of all these findings was done with histopathology obtained in all these patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of MR Spectroscopy was calculated. Percentage agreement between spectroscopy and histopathology was also calculated using kappa statistics. Increase Choline/creatine and Choline/NAA ratio noted in neoplastic lesions compared to nonneoplastic lesion with significant p-value. MR Spectroscopy has a sensitivity of 93.02%, specificity of 70%, positive predictive value of 93.02%, negative predictive value of 70% and diagnostic accuracy of 88.67% in differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic brain lesions. Kappa statistics shows a good agreement between MR Spectroscopy and histopathology (k = 0.630). Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is non-invasive sensitive, however, relatively nonspecific modality in differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic brain lesions. This modality should be considered as an adjunct to conventional imaging rather than replacement for histopathological evaluation.
ISSN:0030-9982