Monovoxel H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Progression of Gliomas

Aim: Can monovoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) reliably follow tumour progression in low-grade glioma? Materials and Methods: 21 patients with low-grade glioma underwent at least 3 MRS. Results: For progression from a grade II to grade III tumour, a sensitivity of 57.1% and specificity of 60% were observed, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 48.8% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 54.5%. For progression under treatment, we obtained a sensitivity of 57.1% by N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho) and myoinositol/creatine (Cr) and a specificity of 100% by Cho/Cr and lipids, with a PPV of 80% and a NPV of 63.6%. Conclusion: We found that NAA/Cho is the best marker of tumour progression before therapy, with a sensitivity of 53.9%. For the therapeutic response, sensitivity was only 28.2%. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]