Grading and therapy monitoring of astrocytomas with 1H-spectroscopy: preliminary study.

We examined 11 patients (9 male and 2 female, age 41 +/- 13) presenting astrocytomas of different malignancy grade (WHO) with single voxel (PRESS) and double voxel (STABLE) spectroscopy techniques. The content of choline in the tumors was determined as a function of their grade of malignity and a significant correlation was found. The measurements were repeated after interstitial radiosurgery. Observed spectra changes induced by this stereotactic treatment with 125I-seed demonstrated the possibility of therapy monitoring.