[MR spectroscopy in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients]. / Tip 1 nörofibromatozisli hastalarda fokal beyin lezyonlarinin ayirici tanisinda MR spektroskopi.

PURPOSE: To determine the role of MR spectroscopy in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions in neurofibromatosis type 1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 were evaluated by routine MRI and single voxel MR spectroscopy (TE: 31). The posterior parietal white matter of 20 age-matched healthy volunteers constituted the control group. NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratios were calculated and compared with the control group. RESULTS: A total of 58 focal brain lesions were detected by MR imaging. When patients with hamartomas and gliomas were compared with the control group, a decrease in the NAA/Cr ratio, and a significant increase in Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratios were found. The decrease in the NAA/Cr ratio and the increase in Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratios of gliomas were significant when compared with hamartomas. With MRI and MR spectroscopy findings, 52 hamartomas and 6 gliomas were detected. CONCLUSION: Since MR spectroscopy has the ability to detect cellular metabolic changes, it could provide additional information to MR imaging about the differential diagnosis and treatment planning of focal parenchymal lesions in neurofibromatosis type 1.