Phosphorus-31 MR Spectroscopy in the Preoperative Evaluation of Symptomatic Unilateral Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of ³¹P-MRS (MR spectroscopy) in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of patients referred for endarterectomy.

Material and Methods:

Nine patients with unilateral, hemodynamically significant stenosis in the region of the common carotid bifurcation were examined pre- and postoperatively with CT, SPECT (regional cerebral blood flow), transcranial Doppler, and duplex sonography, and they also underwent neuropsychologic investigation. Phosphorus-31 MRS of each hemisphere was performed before and 27–148 days after surgery. The relative concentrations of phosphomono- and -diesters, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine, and ATP were estimated.

Results:

No definite changes in concentrations could be detected for any of the metabolites.

Conclusion:

The lack of changes was probably due to well-functioning collaterals and to the partial volume effect, whereby changes in a focal region are hidden when larger volumes are studied.