1. MR spectroscopy provides a measure of brain chemistry.
2. The most common nuclei that are used are 
• 1H (proton)
• 23Na (sodium)
• 31P (phosphorus). 
• Proton spectroscopy is easier to perform and provides much higher signal-to-noise than either sodium or phosphorus.
3. MRS can be performed within 10-15 minutes and can be added on to conventional MR imaging protocols. 
4. It can be used to serially monitor biochemical changes in tumors, stroke, epilepsy, metabolic disorders, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. 
5. They require interpretation and should always be correlated with the MR images before making a final diagnosis.

5/05/2020 01:23:00 AM

The use of MRI for breast cancer screening is recommended by the American Cancer Society for women with a 20% to 25% or greater lifetime risk using risk assessment tools:

1. BRCA mutation carriers
2. Individuals who have a family member with a BRCA mutation who have not been tested
3. Individuals who received radiation to the chest between the ages of 10 to 30 years
4. Individuals with a history of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome or those who have a first-degree relative with one of these syndromes

References

 Schwartz's 10th ed (http://amzn.to/1q10JSc)

5/16/2016 03:17:00 PM