Andreas Hock1, Nassos Petrou2, Peter Zweers2, Erin L. MacMillan3, Roland Kreis3, Peter Boesiger1, Anke Henning1
1University and ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Diagnostic radiology and neuro-radiology, Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, Switzerland; 3University of Bern, Dept. of Clinical Research, Bern, Switzerland
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) enables determination of metabolite concentrations and thus allows for early detection of pathological processes. It may identify clinically relevant biomarkers that predict response to different therapy options for personalized patient treatment which is of specific interest in patients with traumatic injuries in the spinal cord. The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate the feasibility of 1H MRS in the spinal cord of patients with traumatic injury and to characterize specific changes in the metabolic fingerprint. The results show a reduced NAA/Cre ratio which might be a marker for the degree of syringomyelia, nerve cell damage, cord degeneration or cavity formation.