Pre-Postoperative 1H-MRS-Changes in Frontal Deep White Matter and the Thalamus in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

• In a previous study we found a significantly decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and total N-acetyl groups (tNA) in the thalamus in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) compared with healthy individuals (HI). No significant difference between the groups could be found in the frontal deep white matter (FDWM). The primary aim of this study was to investigate if these metabolites in the thalamus were normalised after shunt surgery. The secondary aim was to investigate postoperative metabolic changes in FDWM.Subjects and Methods: Fourteen iNPH-patients, mean age 74 years, and 15 HI, also mean age 74 years, were examined. Assessment of motor scores was performed before and after shunt surgery. Absolute quantitative 1H-MRS (1.5 T, VOI 2.5-3 mL) was performed on the patients in the FDWM and in the thalamus, before and three months after shunt surgery, and also once on the HI. The following metabolites were analysed: tNA, NAA, total creatine (tCr), total choline (tCho), myo-inositol (mIns), glutamate (Glu), and lactate (Lac) concentrations. MRI volumetric calculations of the lateral ventricles were also performed.Results: At three months postoperatively, we found no significant changes of tNA or NAA in the thalamus. In contrast, in FDWM, there was a significant increase of tCho (p=0.01) and a borderline significant decrease of mIns (p=0.06). 12/14 patients were shunt responders (motor function). Median reduction of the lateral ventricle was 16%. A weak correlation between motor score (MOS) and ventricular reduction was observed.Conclusion: Normalisation of thalamic tNA and NAA could not be detected postoperatively. The increased tCho and decreased mIns in the FDWM postoperatively might relate to clinical improvement.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Postoperative

Thalamus

Frontal lobe

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