Prognostic value of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in ischemic stroke.

Abstract

THE DEVELOPMENT of new therapeutic strategies for acute stroke requires that clinicians have a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms operating during severe cerebral ischemia as well as of the improvements in the diagnostic tools available for the management of patient care. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive for the early detection of ischemic brain lesions.^1,2 Nevertheless, clinical evolution probably depends on the extent of neuronal loss, which cannot be determined directly from the images. New magnetic resonance techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging³ and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS), may, however, have considerable prognostic value.