Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: normal findings in the cerebellar hemisphere in childhood.

摘要

BACKGROUND. The cerebellar hemispheres (CER) are different from the supratentorial white and gray matter embryologically, in cytoarchitecture, and probably in metabolic activity. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) can provide a noninvasive biochemical analysis of this region. OBJECTIVE. To study, with (1)H MRS, metabolite concentrations in CER as a function of age and compare these metabolic data with those of parietoccipital white matter (PO WM) in healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Using single-voxel (1)H MRS, we studied 37 volunteers (3-18 years) with normal MRI scans of the brain. (1)H MRS was performed using the PRESS technique in CER and PO WM. The NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/H(2)O, Cr/H(2)O, and Cho/H(2)O ratios were analyzed as a function of age. Metabolic data from these regions were compared. RESULTS. The NAA/Cr ratio tended to increase with age in CER. Mean NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were found to be lower in CER than in PO WM. Mean NAA/H(2)O, Cr/H(2)O, and Cho/H(2)O ratios in CER were higher than in the PO WM. CONCLUSION. Our data confirm the regional variations between CER and PO WM metabolite ratios, and demonstrate a tendency of age-dependent change of the NAA/Cr ratio in CER. The creatine concentration was significantly higher in the cerebellum than in the PO WM.