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MR imaging and proton spectroscopy of the brain in posttraumatic cortical blindness
Author(s) -
Felber Stephan R.,
Ettl Armin R.,
Birbamer Günther G.,
Luz Gaby,
Aichner Franz T.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.1880030621
Subject(s) - creatine , proton magnetic resonance , choline , medicine , in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy , cortex (anatomy) , visual cortex , magnetic resonance imaging , occipital lobe , brain trauma , cortical blindness , nuclear medicine , pathology , radiology , blindness , nuclear magnetic resonance , traumatic brain injury , psychology , neuroscience , physics , psychiatry , optometry
Abstract Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and localized proton MR spectroscopy of the occipital lobes were performed in a patient with cortical blindness following brain trauma. Computed tomography (CT) scans and MR images of the visual cortex were normal in the acute stage. Six weeks after the trauma, MR images showed cortical lesions in both occipital lobes, while the spectra showed elevated lactate and decreased N ‐acetyl aspartate levels relative to those of healthy volunteers. One year later, visual acuity had improved and follow‐up studies revealed an increase in the ratios of N‐acetyl aspartate to choline and creatine. These results demonstrate that parenchymal lesions may develop in brain regions that appear normal at CT and MR imaging during the acute stage after trauma. Metabolic changes can be observed in these areas by means of localized proton MR spectroscopy.