Role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in differentiation between recurrence of glioma and post radiation injury

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the role of MR spectroscopy in the detection of recurrent glioma and differentiation from post radiation injury.Patients and methods32 patients (20 males and 12 females) complaining of different neurological symptoms were enrolled prospectively in this study between September 2011 and December 2013. These patients were selected on the basis that they were known patients with pathologically proved glioma who underwent radiotherapy. All patients underwent standard MRI examination and MR spectroscopy.ResultsThis study included 32 patients, twenty four patients (75%) proved histologically to be of recurrent glioma (group I) and 8 cases (25%) diagnosed as post radiation injury (group II). Peri-tumoral infiltration was present in 18 cases (56.25%) of recurrent glioma. Significantly increased Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios were observed in neoplastic (n = 24) compared with non-neoplastic lesions (n = 8). Presence of lactate and lipid yielded correct classification as neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.ConclusionMagnetic resonance spectroscopy is a useful tool for the detection of recurrent glioma and differentiation from post radiation injury.