In vivo phosphorus spectroscopy of large superficial brain tumors

Eight patients with large superficial brain tumors have been examined with phosphorus spectroscopy. Studies were performed with a 1.5-T whole-body imager (Siemens Magnetom). On day 1 imaging was performed and T1 and T2 relaxation times were measured. On day 2 the tumor was examined with phosphorus spectroscopy, using an 80-mm-diameter surface coil. Results were compared with normal brain spectra from the same patient and with spectra from health subjects. Spectra from patients with meningioma were appreciably different from normal. Spectra from patients with small cell carcinoma of the lungs showed a change in the sugar-phosphate region after chemotherapy