Functional hemispherectomy: postoperative motor state and correlation to preoperative DTI.

INTRODUCTION: Functional hemispherectomy (FH) is an infrequent method to reduce seizure frequency in patients with intractable epilepsy. The risk that hemispherotomy injures brain structures involved in residual motor function is challenging to predict. Our purpose was to evaluate MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to preoperatively assess residual ipsilateral motor function prior to FH. METHODS: We applied DTI in 34 patients scheduled for FH to perform fiber tracking in healthy and damaged hemispheres of the corticospinal tracts (CSTs) and of the corpus callosum. We assessed the CSTs and the commissural fibers for streamline count, for fractional anisotropy (FA), and for respective ratios (affected/unaffected side). We correlated these DTI values to post-to-prior changes of muscle strength and evaluated their diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: FA of the affected CSTs and of commissural fibers was significantly higher in patients with postoperative loss of muscle strength compared to patients without (p = 0.014 and p = 0.008). In contrast, CST FA from healthy hemispheres was not different between both groups. Ratios of streamline counts and FA from CSTs were higher in patients with postoperative reduced muscle strength compared to those without (1.14 ± 0.22 vs. 0.58 ± 0.14, p = 0.040; 0.93 ± 0.05 vs. 0.74 ± 0.03, p = 0.003). CSTs' normalized FA ratio greater than -0.085 predicted loss of muscle strength with 80 % sensitivity and 69.6 % specificity. CONCLUSION: Preoperative tracking of the CST and of commissural fibers contributes to the prediction of postoperative motor outcome after functional hemispherectomy.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of breast lesions: the influence of different fat-suppression techniques on quantitative measurements and their reproducibility.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different fat-suppression techniques on quantitative measurements and their reproducibility when applied to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of breast lesions. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with different types of breast lesions were examined on a clinical 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Two diffusion-weighted sequences with different fat-suppression methods were applied: one with spectral presaturation by inversion recovery (SPIR), and one with short-TI inversion recovery (STIR). The acquisition of both sequence variants was repeated with modified shim volume. Lesion-to-background contrast (LBC), apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) ADC(0,1000) and ADC(50,1000), and their coefficients of variation (CV) were determined. RESULTS: In four patients, the image quality of DWI with SPIR was insufficient. In the other 21 patients, 46 regions of interest (ROI), including 11 malignant and 35 benign lesions, were analysed. The LBC, ADC(0,1000) and ADC(50,1000) values, which did not differ between initial and repeated measurements, were significantly higher for STIR than for SPIR. The mean CV improved from 10.8 % to 4.0 % (P = 0.0047) for LBC, from 6.3 % to 2.9 % (P = 0.0041) for ADC(0,1000), and from 6.3 % to 2.6 % (P = 0.0049) for ADC(50,1000). CONCLUSION: For STIR compared to SPIR fat suppression, improved lesion conspicuity, higher ADC values, and better measurement reproducibility were found in breast DWI. KEY POINTS: • Quality of fat suppression influences quantitative DWI breast lesion measurements. • In breast DWI, STIR fat suppression worked more reliably than SPIR. • Lesion-to-background contrast and its reproducibility were significantly higher with STIR fat suppression. • Lesional ADCs and their reproducibility were significantly higher with STIR fat suppression.

Analysing the response in R2* relaxation rate of intracranial tumours to hyperoxic and hypercapnic respiratory challenges: initial results.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response in R2* relaxation rate of human intracranial tumours during hyperoxic and hypercapnic respiratory challenges. METHODS: In seven patients with different intracranial tumours, cerebral R2* changes during carbogen and CO(2)/air inhalation were monitored at 3 T using a dynamic multigradient-echo sequence of high temporal and spatial resolution. The R2* time series of each voxel was tested for significant change. Regions of interest were analysed with respect to response amplitude and velocity. RESULTS: The tumours showed heterogeneous R2* responses with large interindividual variability. In the 'contrast-enhancing' area of five patients and in the 'non-tumoral' tissue most voxels showed a decrease in R2* for carbogen. For the 'contrast-enhancing' area of two patients hardly any responses were found. In areas of 'necrosis' and perifocal 'oedema' typically voxels with R2* increase and no response were found for both gases. For tissue responding to CO(2)/air, the R2* changes were of the same order of magnitude as those for carbogen. The response kinetic was generally attenuated in tumoral tissue. CONCLUSION: The spatially resolved determination of R2* changes reveals the individual heterogeneous response characteristic of intracranial human tumours during hyperoxic and hypercapnic respiratory challenges.

MR imaging of the prostate at 3.0T with external phased array coil - preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Among all imaging modalities, MRI of the prostate has the highest sensitivity to predict extracapsular tumor spread, seems to have added value for the preoperative treatment planning. It is an adjunct tool in patients with high suspicion of prostate cancer and so far negative TRUS-guided biopsies. Due to the higher intrinsic signal, it is expected that 3.0T enables to image the prostate without endorectal coil. Aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of phased array coil 3.0T MRI in patients with suspicion of prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A high spatial resolution T2-w 3.0T pulse sequence (0.47 x 0.47 x 3mm voxel size) was performed in 26 patients prior to US-guided biopsy. Qualitative analysis comprised visual signal to noise, tissue contrasts and motion artifacts. MR diagnoses were correlated with histology. Diagnostic indices for the detection of prostate cancer in the peripheral zone were calculated. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination revealed pro?state cancer in 12 and benign prostate disorders in 14 patients. Motion artifacts due to peristalsis were rated moderate. Mean visual signal to noise was high. Contrast between peripheral and central zone of the prostate was excellent. MRI had 4 false negative and 2 false positive diagnoses (sensitivity 66.7 %, specificity 86.7 % diagnostic accuracy 76.9%). CONCLUSION: At 3.0T, diagnostic indices for cancer detection seem to be comparable to data reported about endorectal 1.5T MRI. Thus 3.0 T offers new options for MR imaging of the prostate in selected patients who cannot or are not willing to be examined with the endorectal coil.

Cerebrovascular Reactivity during Prolonged Breath-Hold in Experienced Freedivers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experienced freedivers can endure prolonged breath-holds despite severe hypoxemia and are therefore ideal subjects to study apnea-induced cerebrovascular reactivity. This multiparametric study investigated CBF, the spatial coefficient of variation as a correlate of arterial transit time and brain metabolism, dynamics during prolonged apnea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen male freedivers (age range, 20-64 years; cumulative previous prolonged breath-holds >2 minutes and 30 seconds: 4-79,200) underwent repetitive 3T pseudocontinuous arterial spin-labeling and 31P-/1H-MR spectroscopy before, during, and after a 5-minute breath-hold (split into early and late phases) and gave temporally matching venous blood gas samples. Correlation of temporal and regional cerebrovascular reactivity to blood gases and cumulative previous breath-holds of >2 minutes and 30 seconds in a lifetime was assessed. RESULTS: The spatial coefficient of variation of CBF (by arterial spin-labeling) decreased during the early breath-hold phase (-30.0%, P = .002), whereas CBF remained almost stable during this phase and increased in the late phase (+51.8%, P = .001). CBF differed between the anterior and the posterior circulation during all phases (eg, during late breath-hold: MCA, 57.3 ± 14.2 versus posterior cerebral artery, 42.7 ± 10.8 mL/100 g/min; P = .001). There was an association between breath-hold experience and lower CBF (1000 previous breath-holds reduced WM CBF by 0.6 mL/100 g/min; 95% CI, 0.15-1.1 mL/100 g/min; P = .01). While breath-hold caused peripheral lactate rise (+18.5%) and hypoxemia (oxygen saturation, -24.0%), cerebral lactate and adenosine diphosphate remained within physiologic ranges despite early signs of oxidative stress [-6.4% phosphocreatine / (adenosine triphosphate + adenosine diphosphate); P = .02]. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the cerebral energy metabolism of trained freedivers withstands severe hypoxic hypercarbia in prolonged breath-hold due to a complex cerebrovascular hemodynamic response.

Axonal damage but no increased glial cell activity in the normal-appearing white matter of patients with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis using high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MR spectroscopy) is a well-established method for the in vivo investigation of the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Metabolic changes in NAWM are of special interest in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of MS regarding further prognostic classifications. The purpose of this study was to investigate metabolic alterations in NAWM in patients with CIS with use of high-field (1)H-MR spectroscopy and to compare the results to those in patients with an early course of MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With use of a 3T whole-body MR imaging system, single-voxel (1)H-MR spectroscopy (PRESS; TR: 2000 ms; TE: 38 ms and 140 ms) of the parietal NAWM was performed in 20 control subjects, 36 patients with CIS, and 12 patients with MS. Metabolite ratios and concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (tNAA), myo-inositol (mIns), choline, and total creatine (tCr) were determined. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, mean NAWM mIns concentrations were significantly elevated in the MS group (4.56 mmol/L versus 3.75 mmol/L, P = .02) but not in the CIS group (4.04 mmol/L, P = .44). The higher concentration of mIns in the MS group was also reflected in the increased Ins/tCr ratio (P = .02). The mean NAWM tNAA was significantly decreased in both patient groups compared with the control group (CIS, 13.42 mmol/L, P = .02; MS, 12.77 mmol/L versus 14.51 mmol/L, P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase of the activity of the glial cells can only be observed in patients with an established diagnosis of MS but not in patients with CIS. Axonal damage occurs already during the first demyelinating episode in patients with CIS as well as in patients with definite MS.

Double inversion recovery brain imaging at 3T: diagnostic value in the detection of multiple sclerosis lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the sensitivity in the detection of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions by using double inversion recovery (DIR), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (T2 TSE) MR imaging at 3T. METHODS: Seventeen patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS, 9 patients with definite MS, and 6 healthy control subjects were included. Imaging was performed on a 3T MR system using DIR, FLAIR, and T2 TSE sequences. Lesions were counted and classified according to 5 anatomic regions: infratentorial, periventricular, deep white matter, juxtacortical, and mixed white matter-gray matter. The sensitivity at DIR was compared with the corresponding sensitivity at FLAIR and T2 TSE sequence. The contrast between lesions and normal-appearing gray matter, normal-appearing white matter, and CSF was determined for all sequences. RESULTS: Because of higher lesion-white matter contrast, the DIR showed a higher number of lesions compared with the FLAIR (7% gain, P = 0.04) and the T2 TSE (15% gain, P = 0.01). The higher sensitivity was also significant for the infratentorial region compared with the FLAIR (56% gain, P = 0.02) and the T2 TSE (44% gain, P = 0.02). Compared with the FLAIR, no significant changes of the lesion load measurements were observed in the supratentorial brain: slightly higher numbers of periventricular and mixed gray matter-white matter lesions on the DIR were counterbalanced by a slightly reduced sensitivity regarding juxtacortical lesions. CONCLUSION: DIR brain imaging at 3T provides the highest sensitivity in the detection of MS lesions especially in the infratentorial region.

[Molecular imaging of apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases]. / Molekulare Bildgebung der Apoptose bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen.

Molecular imaging of functional parameters such as apoptosis (programmed cell death) in vivo opens new possibilities in clinical diagnostic and scientific research. Especially in the case of cardiovascular diseases that are mainly responsible for both morbidity and mortality in Western industrial nations, innovative non-invasive examination strategies are necessary for early diagnosis of these diseases. Since apoptosis unlike necrosis is present even after minor alterations of the microenvironment of cells and has been shown to be involved in a large number of cardiovascular diseases, there are currently several experimental studies underway with the goal of imaging apoptosis in vivo. The review discusses the basics of apoptosis in myocardial infarction, myocarditis, atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty and stent implantation, currently used imaging techniques, achieved results, and future possibilities for molecular imaging of apoptosis.

[Molecular imaging of apoptosis and necrosis -- basic principles of cell biology and use in oncology]. / Molekulare Bildgebung von Apoptose und Nekrose -- Zellbiologische Grundlagen und Einsatz in der Onkologie.

Soon molecular imaging techniques will play a prominent role in basic scientific research and clinical approaches. In particular, important aspects of medicine such as apoptosis and gene- and stem-cell therapy will play a pivotal role in radiology too. This review presents the basic principles of apoptosis, recent results and future perspectives of apoptosis imaging. Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a precisely regulated, complex cascade of molecular events to eliminate individual cells. Disturbances may lead to diseases like malignancies and neurodegenerative diseases that are of clinical relevance. Several therapeutic strategies in oncology are based on apoptosis induction; conversely, resistance to therapy is indicative of decreased apoptosis induction. Whereas up to now the clinician had to depend exclusively on biopsy specimens to detect apoptosis, the feasibility of non-invasive imaging of this cell-biological phenomenon in vivo opens up new horizons in future. This review focuses on different modifications of this imaging technique, with and without the use of molecular probes (e. g. annexin V, synaptotagmin I), in vitro and in vivo using the various detector systems (like MRI, flow cytometry) currently available. Future perspectives are also addressed.

[MR techniques for noninvasive diagnosis of prostate cancer]. / MR-Techniken zur nicht-invasiven Diagnostik des Prostatakarzinoms.

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is suggested on the basis of an elevated PSA level, abnormal digital exam, and abnormal transrectal ultrasound. US-guided biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis, but up to 30% of prostate cancer may be missed with this approach. Meanwhile MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy have emerged as the most sensitive additional tools for the noninvasive evaluation of prostate cancer. This article reviews the clinical indications for MRI of the prostate and summarizes new techniques such as high field strength (3 tesla) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Three-Dimensional Isotropic Fat-Suppressed Proton Density-Weighted MRI at 3 Tesla Using a T/R-Coil Can Replace Multiple Plane Two-Dimensional Sequences in Knee Imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a 3 D proton density-weighted fat-suppressed sequence (PDwFS) of the knee is able to replace multiplanar 2D-PDwFS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 patients (26 men, mean age: 41.9 ±â€Š14.5years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee at 3.0 Tesla using a T/R-coil. The imaging protocol included 3 planes of 2D-PDwFS (acquisition time (AT): 6:40 min; voxel sizes: 0.40 - 0.63 × 0.44 - 0.89 × 3mm³) and a 3D-PDwFS (AT: 6:31 min; voxel size: 0.63 × 0.68 × 0.63mm³). Homogeneity of fat suppression (HFS), artifacts, and image sharpness (IS) were evaluated on a 5-point scale (5[excellent] - 1[non-diagnostic]). The sum served as a measure for the overall image quality (OIQ). Contrast ratios (CR) compared to popliteal muscle were calculated for the meniscus (MEN), anterior (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL). In 13 patients who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, two radiologists evaluated the presence of meniscal, ligamental and cartilage lesions to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of lesion detection. RESULTS: The CR was higher in the ACL, PCL and MEN in 3D- PDwFS compared to 2D-PDwFS (p < 0.01 for ACL and PCL; p = 0.07 for MEN). Compared to 2 D images, the OIQ was rated higher in 3D-PDwFS images (p < 0.01) due to fewer artifacts and HFS despite the lower IS (p < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of lesion detection in 3D- and 2D-PDwFS were similar. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard multiplanar 2D-PDwFS knee imaging, isotropic high spatial resolution 3D-PDwFS of the knee at 3.0 T can be acquired with high image quality in a reasonable scan time. Multiplanar reformations in arbitrary planes may serve as an additional benefit of 3D-PDwFS. KEY POINTS: • 3D-PDwFS of the knee is acquired with high image quality• 3D-PDwFS can be achieved in only one measurement with a reasonable scan time• 3D-PDwFS with the advantage of multiplanar reformation may replace 2D-PD-weighted knee MRI Citation Format: • Homsi R, Gieseke J, Luetkens JA et al. Three-Dimensional Isotropic Fat-Suppressed Proton Density-Weighted MRI at 3 Tesla Using a T/R-Coil Can Replace Multiple Plane Two-Dimensional Sequences in Knee Imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 949 - 956.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the primary motor cortex in patients with motor neuron disease: subgroup analysis and follow-up measurements.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the motor cortex degeneration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and to prove that proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is suited to monitor the course of disease with follow-up examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 33 patients with ALS whose conditions were diagnosed according to the El Escorial World Federation of Neurology criteria. Nine patients with ALS were followed up for up to 2 years. The control group included 20 healthy volunteers and 4 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy determined levels of the brain metabolites N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, inositol-containing compounds, glutamate/glutamine, and phosphocreatine. RESULTS: Patients with ALS showed a significant reduction in the NAA-choline (P <.001) and NAA-phosphocreatine (P <.005) metabolite ratios and significantly elevated choline-phosphocreatine (P <.005) ratios compared with controls. Inositol-phosphocreatine ratios were also elevated in case patients, but the increase was less pronounced (P <.05). No differences in glutamate/glutamine-phosphocreatine ratios were detected between case patients and controls. An analysis of subgroups demonstrated less significant differences in NAA-choline metabolite ratios (P<.05), even in patients with pure lower motor neuron syndrome (suspected ALS). No changes in metabolite T1 and T2 relaxation times were observed. Patients with multifocal motor neuropathy showed normal metabolic ratios. Progressive alterations in affected metabolite ratios could be documented in the follow-up examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Spectroscopic changes in the motor cortices of patients with ALS correspond with a reduction in levels of NAA and an elevation in levels of choline and inositol compounds. Since NAA is exclusively expressed in neurons, the observed decrease of NAA reflects neuronal loss or dysfunction. Inositol and choline are associated with plasma membrane metabolism, so the release of these compounds may be related to membrane disorders.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the motor cortex in 70 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for detection and monitoring of upper motoneuron degeneration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS: Seventy patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to the El Escorial criteria were compared with 48 healthy control subjects. Single-volume proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (echo time, 272 milliseconds; repetition time, 2000 milliseconds) was performed in both motor cortices for detection of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), phosphocreatine + creatine ([P]Cr), and choline-containing compounds (Cho) to calculate the metabolite ratios NAA/Cho, NAA/(P)Cr, and Cho/(P)Cr. In addition, absolute metabolite concentrations of NAA, (P)Cr, and Cho were obtained in 30 patients and 15 controls with the unsuppressed water signal used as an internal reference. RESULTS: Absolute concentrations of NAA (P<.001) and (P)Cr (P<.05) were reduced in motor cortices of patients, whereas Cho concentrations remained unchanged. The NAA/Cho and NAA/(P)Cr ratios were reduced in all El Escorial subgroups (P<.001). The Cho/(P)Cr ratio was elevated in patients with definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (P<.05). Metabolite ratio changes corresponded to the lateralization of clinical symptoms and were weakly correlated with disease duration and disease severity. In follow-up observations of 16 patients during a mean (+/-SD) of 12.1 +/- 8.7 months, NAA/Cho dropped by 9.1% (P<.01), and Cho/(P)Cr increased by 7.0% (P<.01). Changes of metabolite ratios were significantly correlated with progression of disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of NAA concentrations and NAA/Cho ratios appear to be most suitable for detection of motor cortex degeneration by single-volume proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Reduced NAA/Cho ratios correspond to aspects of the clinical presentation and reflect disease progression in follow-up measurements.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in Kennedy syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To seek regional metabolite abnormalities in patients with Kennedy disease (KD) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. DESIGN: Nine patients with KD showing the typical phenotype without clinical signs of upper motor neuron involvement were compared with 17 male, age-matched, healthy control subjects. Relative metabolite concentrations for N-acetyl (NA) groups, choline-containing groups (Cho), phosphocreatine (Cr), and lactate (Lac) were determined in the brainstem and the motor region. RESULTS: Pathologic Lac signals suggesting impaired energy metabolism were absent in patients and controls. In the brainstem area, patients with KD showed a significant reduction in the NA/Cho metabolite ratio (P = .01). In the motor region, NA/Cho (P = .04) and NA/Cr (P = .03) ratios were significantly reduced. The reduction of the NA/Cho ratio in the motor region mainly resulted from decreased metabolite ratios in 3 patients. Changes in metabolite ratios did not correlate with the number of trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine repeats from leukocytes. Because of the relatively small sample size due to the rarity of KD, these results should be considered preliminary. CONCLUSIONS: Spectroscopic data fail to provide further evidence for altered energy metabolism in KD. Metabolite changes in the brainstem indicate a reduction of the neuronal marker NA or elevated Cho. These findings may reflect neuronal loss or gliosis consistent with the known pathologic features. In a subset of patients, altered metabolite ratios best explained by neuronal loss suggest subclinical involvement of the motor region. The extent of metabolite changes does not correlate with the trinucleotide repeat length.

Proton MR spectroscopy detects a relative decrease of N-acetylaspartate in the medial temporal lobe of patients with AD.

BACKGROUND: The reduction of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) detected by proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) represents a robust but unspecific marker for neuronal loss or dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To apply 1H-MRS in two brain regions that reflect the characteristic spatial distribution of neuronal loss in AD. These regions are the medial temporal lobe (MTL), which is affected early in AD, and the primary motor and sensory cortex (central region), which is affected late in the disease and might serve as an intraindividual control region in mild to moderate disease stages. METHODS: Twenty patients and 18 volunteers underwent 1H-MRS in both brain areas. The metabolic ratios of NAA/creatine and choline/creatine were determined. Additionally, the metabolic ratios of the MTL were divided by the ratios of the central region to assess the relative change in the MTL in individual subjects. All ratios were correlated with psychometric test scores. RESULTS: A significant reduction of NAA/creatine and choline/creatine ratios was detected in the MTL of patients with AD. In the central region, no significant difference between the groups was found. NAA/creatine (MTL/central region) was reduced in patients with AD and showed a correlation with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the cognitive part of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale scores. Choline/creatine (MTL/central region) did not show a significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Assessing the distribution of NAA/creatine reduction guided by the expected neuropathologic change can improve the role of 1H-MRS in the assessment of AD. The disease severity can be monitored by relative reduction of NAA/creatine in the MTL in comparison with an intraindividual unaffected control region.

Time-efficient T2 relaxometry of the entire hippocampus is feasible in temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To test the clinical usefulness and reliability of a new dual-echo turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequence for rapid and regional hippocampal T2 relaxometry. METHODS: Hippocampal T2 relaxation time (HRT) was determined by a TSE sequence on three to four consecutive coronal images in 16 control subjects and 12 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. HRT was related to neuropathology findings in hippocampal specimens including neuronal cell density (ND), results of visual analysis of MR images, clinical outcome after epilepsy surgery, and hippocampal volumetry. RESULTS: Rapid HRT differentiated patients from control subjects; all cases of hippocampal sclerosis (HS; n = 10) were correctly diagnosed. HRT showed a strong correlation with ND in CA1 (p < 0.02) and CA3 (p < 0.05). Diagnoses based on rapid relaxometry concurred fully with results of visual inspection. Mean HRT was prolonged ipsilaterally in all patients with excellent postoperative seizure outcome and bilaterally prolonged or normal in patients with poorer outcome. Rapid HRT was concordant with hippocampal volumetry in 10 of 12 patients. Regional HRT of control subjects revealed significantly higher values in the anterior than posterior hippocampus. In patients with unilateral HS, this gradient was absent. The gradient was also absent contralaterally to HS, although surgical outcome was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Hippocampal dual-echo TSE-relaxometry can be regarded a reliable technique to detect and quantify HS. With a scan time of 3.31 minutes and immediate off-line analysis lasting a few minutes only, TSE-T2 relaxometry is easy to integrate in the routine diagnostic assessment of hippocampal morphology in large numbers of patients.

Decrease of N-acetylaspartate in the MTL correlates with cognitive decline of AD patients.

In this (1)H-MRS follow-up study of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in patients with AD, the authors report a correlation of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) with cognitive decline. Severely progressed patients showed a reduction, whereas stable or mildly progressed subjects showed a slight increase of NAA/Cr. The reduction of NAA/Cr in the MTL represents a correlate of cognitive deterioration in AD, whereas it is of limited use to detect subtle changes over time in clinically stable patients.

Phenotype assignment in symptomatic female carriers of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

However, only very few studies have systematically investigated the extent and distribution of nervous and endocrine system involvement in female carriers of X-ALD. To define the phenotype in symptomatic female carriers of X-ALD we performed a prospective study including eight symptomatic women who were followed for a mean period of 3.4+/-1.8 years (range 1-6) using standardized clinical examination protocols, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, evoked potential studies including visual, brainstem auditory, somatosensory and magnetic evoked potentials, neurographic recordings and endocrine studies. Spastic paraparesis and decreased vibration sense in the lower extremities were the most frequent clinical findings. Slightly hyperintense symmetric parieto-occipital white matter lesions on magnetic resonance imaging were detectable in two of seven cases, and the N-acetylaspartate/choline ratios on magnetic resonance spectroscopy were decreased in three of seven patients. P40 latencies were abnormal in all patients, and central motor conduction times to the lower extremities in seven of eight patients. Prolonged latencies of brainstem auditory evoked potential waves III-V or interpeak latencies of waves I-III, I-V and III-V were detectable in all patients. The degree of walking impairment was positively correlated with the duration of clinical disease (r=0.58, P < 0.05) and inversely correlated with the N-acetylaspartate/choline ratios (r=0.85; P < 0.05). Neurographic recordings revealed only subtle abnormalities, suggesting that nervous system involvement in symptomatic female carriers of X-ALD is confined mainly to the central nervous system. No evidence of adrenal insufficiency was detected in any of the patients.

Decreased frontal lobe ratio of N-acetyl aspartate to choline in familial schizophrenia: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Neuropathological and neuroimaging studies suggest neuronal dysfunction in schizophrenia. N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) is a useful marker of neuronal dysfunction that can be measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In the present study NAA, choline (Cho), phospho-creatine ((P)Cr), inositol containing compounds and glutamine/glutamate (Glx) were assessed in the left frontal lobe and basal ganglia of subjects with familial schizophrenia, family members with mixed psychiatric diagnoses, unaffected family members, and community controls. Concentrations of metabolites were analyzed and expressed as ratios. NAA/Cho, NAA/(P)Cr and Glx containing compounds showed a negative correlation with age in the frontal lobe. After covarying for age, subjects with schizophrenia had a significant reduction in the left frontal lobe NAA/Cho ratio compared with unaffected family members (P=0.018) as well as with community non-familial (P=0.037) controls. These MRS observations support the hypothesis of a disease-related neuronal deficit in the frontal lobe of schizophrenic patients, and relatively normal basal ganglia.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and transcranial magnetic stimulation for the detection of upper motor neuron degeneration in ALS patients.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was compared to proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for the detection of upper motor neuron loss or dysfunction in 49 ALS patients classified according to the El Escorial criteria. Abnormal NAA/Cho ratios were detected in 53% of ALS patients. Abnormal TMS results (i.e. cortical inexcitability or prolonged CMCT's) were obtained in 63% of ALS patients. If one or both methods were considered for diagnosis of upper motor neuron degeneration/dysfunction, the percentage of abnormal findings was 77%, whilst in 39% of all patients both methods produced abnormal results. Compared to TMS, 1H-MRS detected more patients with upper motor neuron involvement in the suspected El Escorial subgroup (42% versus 25%), whereas TMS detected more patients with upper motor neuron involvement in the possible (81% versus 50%), probable (71% versus 57%) and definite El Escorial subgroup (71% versus 64%). We conclude that the combined use of 1H-MRS and TMS increases diagnostic accuracy for the detection of upper motor neuron involvement in ALS patients.