Characterization of Brain Tumour Headache Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract

Headache is frequently associated with serious illness like brain tumour. The tension type of headache (TTH) is typical and distinct from migraine and cluster headaches. The magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a noninvasive modality assist in conceptualizing the quantification of pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the spectrum of metabolites and understand the link between the metabolites and headache in brain tumour patients. The type of study is retrospective containing 22 brain tumour headache patients with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The values of metabolites and their ratios from the tumour core and contralateral healthy parenchyma are recorded from the region of interest (ROI) and are analysed with non-parametric Mann Whitney U test.There is low level of N acetyl aspartate (2.32±0.82) and creatine (2.33±0.89) in the tumour core compared to their spectrum in the contralateral healthy area. The Cho/Cr ratio (0.04±0.23) in contralateral healthy area is very low compared to tumour core that describes tension type of headache (TTH). The Cho/Cr ratio variation gives a valuable indication of headache type. It illustrates the intensity of pain in individuals with brain tumour providing a guide to treatment approach.