Short Echo Time Single Voxel 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Diagnosis and Characterisation of Pineal Tumours in Children

LM Harris, Nigel Davies, Shaun Wilson, L MacPherson, K Natarajan, Martin English, MA Brundler, Theodoros Arvanitis, RG Grundy, Andrew Peet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been successful in characterising a range of brain tumours and is a useful aid to non-invasive diagnosis. The pineal region poses considerable surgical challenges and a major surgical resection is not required in the management of all tumours. Improved non-invasive assessment of pineal region tumours would be of considerable benefit. Methods. Single voxel MRS (TE 30 ms, TR 1500, 1.5 T) was performed on 15 pineal tumours: 5 germinomas, 1 non-germinomatous secreting germ cell tumour (GCT), 2 teratomas, 5 pineoblastomas, 1 pineal parenchymal tumour (PPT) of intermediate differentiation and 1 pineocytoma. Two germinomas outside the pineal gland were also studied. Metabolite, lipid and macromolecule concentrations were determined with LCModel (TM). Results. Germ cell tumours had significantly higher lipid and macromolecule concentrations than other tumours (t-test; P <0.05). The teratomas had significantly lower total choline and creatine levels than germinomas (z test; P <0.05). Taurine was convincingly detected in germinomas as well as PPTs. Conclusions. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is useful for characterising pineal region tumours, aiding the non-invasive diagnosis and giving additional biological insight. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 972-977. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)972-977
Number of pages6
JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer
Volume57
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2011

Keywords

  • magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • brain tumours
  • pineal
  • children

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