The role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic focal brain lesions

Abstract

The ability to differentiate between neoplastic and non-neoplastic focal brain lesions is critical for appropriate management of patient. Due to low specificity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) adequate data for differentiating would not be provided.Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is one of the newly supplementary methods for determining molecular structures and better differentiation among brain lesions. The applicability of MRI plus MRS in changing the histopathology is undetermined.In order to evaluate the benefits of magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with the conventional magnetic resonance imaging, we reviewed related literature till 2013.

Keywords

• focal brain lesions
• magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• neoplastic