Multi-Voxel MR Spectroscopy is a revolutionary technique of detecting brain cancer. It is able to indicate clearly the tumors in the brain. Find out how this works.
Multi-Voxel MR Spectroscopy is a new technique of brain scan. It is revolutionary as it is able to indicate clearly the tumors in the brain. This technique is so accurate that it even surpasses the conventional brain scan. It detects tumors that were unfound in earlier brain scans.
A conventional scan uses nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. This means that echoes of radio waves are sent to the brain to image a picture of the brain. This image shows the brain's structure. Multi-Voxel MR Spectroscopy uses state of art software to analyze radio waves for signature patterns called spectra.
Different chemicals produce different types of spectra. These chemicals are indicative of what is going on in the brain. If there is a Choline spectra, it means that a tumor is growing in the brain. Another dangerous chemical that signifies disease is free lipids. If there are spectra belonging to free lipids, it means that this chemical is present in the scanned brain. This is a bad sign as this chemical is indicative of a necrotic or rotting brain.
Due to the ability to diagnose the chemicals present in the brain, the diagnosis is faster. There is less need to operate on the patient to extract tissue samples for biopsies or test for cancer. The patient is spared the great agony of going under the knife. This reduction in surgical procedures means that time, money and resources are saved. The time factor weighs heavily in critical cases.
With faster detection of brain cancer, the doctors can make life-saving steps to help the patient. In some cases, this means the difference between life and death.
Multi-Voxel MR Spectroscopy is a new technique which is still under trial use in many hospitals. Another new brain cancer detection scan is the three-dimensional spin angiography. This technique is able to capture detailed images of tiny blood vessels in the brain. This is used to detect abnormalities like swellings of blood vessels. The doctors can then make furthur tests and diagnosis to determine the cause of swellings.
The progress of modern medicine has made it possible for faster and better detection of brain abnormalities. Time is the critical factor in saving a patient's life.
