Multivoxel ¹H-MR spectroscopy in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of multivoxel ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Materials and Methods: 20 patients (case group) with moderate to severe clinically diagnosed OSAHS and 20 age-gender matched healthy volunteers (control group) underwent brain multivoxel ¹H-MRS examinations. The ratios of brain metabolites of centrum ovale and basal ganglia were recorded respectively. Related clinical indexes, including sleep apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) and the average night-time oxygen saturation (SpO₂), were recorded. Results: In region of centrum ovale, the NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr of the case group decreased and were significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05). The Cho/Cr of the case group was significantly increased compared to the controls (P<0.05). In region of basal ganglia, the NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr, and Cho/Cr had no significantly difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Lactate peak was not detected in the two groups. In the region of centrum ovale, the AHI showed inverse correlation to the NAA/Cho (P<0.05). The SpO₂ showed positive correlations to the NAA/Cho (P<0.05). There was no correlation between clinical indexes and NAA/Cr or Cho/Cr (P>0.05). Conclusion: Multivoxel ¹H-MRS could early detect the changes of cerebral metabolism in patients with OSAHS. It provides an objective imaging basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. (authors)