Abstract

THE ROLE OF MRI SPECTROSCOPY IN HUMAN BRAIN

Sanjay Singh*

Abstract

Intra axial brain masses are a significant health problem and present several imaging challenges. These lesions include primary neoplasm (high and low grade), secondary (metastatic) neoplasm, Lymphoma, tumefactive demyelinating lesions, abscesses and encephalitis. We are witnessing a shift in imaging from merely providing anatomical information towards providing information about tumor physiology. Imaging plays an integral role in intracranial tumor management. Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in particular has emerged as the imaging modality most frequently used to evaluate intracranial tumors, and it continues to have an ever expanding, multifaceted role. In general, the role of MR imaging in the workup of intra-axial tumors can be broadly divided into tumor diagnosis and classification, treatment planning and post treatment surveillance. In addition to conventional MR imaging techniques, a variety of advanced techniques have found their place in clinical practice or are the subject of intense research. These advanced techniques offer more than the anatomic information provided by the conventional MR imaging sequences. They generate physiologic data and information on chemical composition. The current advanced techniques include perfusion imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (including diffusion tensor imaging), MR spectroscopy, blood oxygen Level-dependent (BOLD) imaging and the largely experimental molecular imaging.

Keywords: MRI, Neo-plastic, Clinical practice, Tumor.