Technique measuring metabolite concentrations in tissue voxels
Expansion
MR Spectroscopy
Purpose
Provides biochemical information (NAA, lactate, choline, creatine ratios) helping diagnose tumours, stroke, and metabolic disease
Clinical Context
MRS quantifies brain metabolites. Main peaks include NAA (neurons), Cho (cell membrane), Cre (energy), Lac (ischaemia), Lip (necrosis). Useful in glioma grading.
Related Terms
- MRI
- Metabolic imaging
Key Points
- High choline and NAA ratio suggests malignancy; lactate peak indicates ischaemia or anaerobic metabolism