[Cerebral metabolic disturbance in hypoxic encephalopathy: evaluation with H-1 MR spectroscopy].

PURPOSE

To analyze metabolic changes in the brain during hypoxic encephalopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging (MRI) and H-1 MR spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) were performed on three patients with hypoxic encephalopathy, who had need temporary mechanical ventilation, and five healthy age-matched volunteers. Spectra were obtained from bilateral fronto-parietal gray matter and basal ganglia voxels. N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) were analyzed.

RESULTS

(1) MRI; T1 weighted MRI revealed high signal intensity areas in the diffuse cerebral cortex and basal ganglia in two patients. The former was thought to reflect cortical laminar necrosis. T2-weighed MRI showed high signal intensity in diffuse white mate. (2) H-1 MRS; significant reduction of the NAA/ Cr ratio and elevation of the Cho/Cr ratio were detected.

CONCLUSION

H-1 MRS is able to quantify metabolic alterations in the hypoxic encephalopathy.