Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Amstutz, D.R. Articles by Heiserman, J.E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Amstutz, D.R. Articles by Heiserman, J.E.

Hypothalamic Hamartomas: Correlation of MR Imaging and Spectroscopic Findings with Tumor Glial Content

D.R. Amstutz^a, S.W. Coons^b, J.F. Kerrigan^c, H.L. Rekate^d and J.E. Heiserman^a

^a Division of Neuroradiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz
^b Division of Neuropathology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz
^c Department of Child Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz
^d Division of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz

View larger version (67K): [in a new window]   Fig 1. Photomicrograph (H&E stain) from predominantly neuronal hypothalamic hamartoma (A) with corresponding single voxel MR spectrum (3T) and axial T2-weighted image (B, -C). The mI peak is moderately elevated and tumor is slightly hyperintense relative to gray matter on T2-weighted images. Also shown are a photomicrograph from a predominately glial hamartoma (D) with corresponding spectrum (1.5T) and T2-weighted images (E,-F). The mI peak is markedly elevated, and the lesion is very hyperintense in comparison to gray matter. Cho is mildly elevated, and NAA is reduced in both cases.

View larger version (9K): [in a new window]   Fig 2. Graph shows the comparison of spectral ratios within tumor and normal gray matter. A significant decrease is noted in NAA/Cr in the hypothalamic hamartomas compared with normal controls. Significant increases are seen in mI/Cr and Cho/Cr. Horizontal dashes represent 95% confidence intervals.

View larger version (8K): [in a new window]   Fig 3. Scatterplot shows individual mI/Cr ratios of hypothalamic hamartomas versus 6-point pathology rating scale (1 = mostly neuronal, 6 = mostly glial). Samples exhibit increased mI concentrations with increasing glial content. One relatively neuronal sample (pathology rating, 2) demonstrates an anomalously high mI/Cr = 1.1.

View larger version (8K): [in a new window]   Fig 4. Graph shows relative T2 hyperintensity of hypothalamic hamartomas versus 6-point pathology rating scale (1 = mostly neuronal, 6 = mostly glial). Data demonstrate increasing T2 intensity with increased tumor glial content. A sample with pathology rating of 2 and an anomalously high T2 ratio of 1.8 is the same sample seen as an outlier in Fig 3 and discussed in the text.