Diagnostic yield of combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion weighted imaging in intracranial neoplasms

AbstractPurposeOur intention was to evaluate the role of combined diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in diagnosis and grading of brain tumors.Materials and methodsNinety-three included cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain lesion, stereotactic or open biopsies and histopathological examination. MRI protocol included DWI and calculated ADC values. Multivoxel MRS spectroscopic technique (MVS) was used and all MRS metabolic parameters were obtained.ResultsHigh grade tumors had significantly lower ADC values than low grade tumors (P<0.001). ADC values were the lowest in lymphoma (0.54×10−3mm2/s) and the highest in craniopharyngioma (1.9×10−3mm2/s). MRS revealed a statistically significant difference in CHO/NAA and CHO/Cr ratios between low and high grade tumors with P<0.01 and P