Complementary effect of H MRS in diagnosis of suprasellar tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Suprasellar tumors are considered exceptionally important in neurosurgical practice due to their proximity to vital portions of the brain. Predicting histology of these tumors is of prime importance in determining the surgical approach, prognosis, and probable postoperative complications. There are numerous cases where computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fail to predict histology. We have studied the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the diagnosis of suprasellar tumors.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with primary nonfunctional suprasellar tumors and high-quality magnetic resonance spectra were studied. The most probable diagnosis (adenoma, meningioma, craniopharyngioma, or astrocytoma) was made by a neuroradiologist based on the MRI findings and then based on MRI plus MRS findings. Finally, the results were compared with the pathology report.

RESULTS

The information provided by MRS led the radiologist to alter his prior diagnosis that was based on the MRI in four patients, and the final diagnoses were in accordance with the histopathology. Wrong diagnosis was made by MRI plus MRS in three patients. Test efficiency of MRI was 69.6%, and it was 87% for MRI plus MRS. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P value=.152).

CONCLUSION

MRS may be useful in providing a more improved preoperative diagnosis of suprasellar tumors.