J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2001 Mar;8(1):41-47.

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Patients with Neuro-Behcet's Disease

• Kang HJ
• Tae HJ
• Kim MC
• Kim WU
• Park SH
• Cho CS
• Kim HY

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)and computed tomography had been used to detect the neurologic lesions of the Behcet's disease.However,there are a number of cases which can not be detected by conventional imaging studies in neuro-Behcet's disease.To overcome this problem,magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)has been introduced in several autoimmune diseases involving central nervous system such as neuropsychiatric lupus,but which was rarely performed in Behcet's disease.In the present study,we report two cases of neuro-Behcet's disease that showed normal MRI but abnormal proton MRS (1HMRS)findings.MRS in two cases revealed a reduction of the N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr)ratio in the substantia nigra and thalamus,respectively, which were the areas without abnormality on MRI,suggesting a functional defect of neurons in these areas.In a case with thalamic dysfunction,abnormal NAA/Cr ratio was normalized in parallel with clinical improvement after treatment with high-dose steroids and immuno-suppressive agents.These observa-tions suggest that MRS may be useful to early detect the functional abnormality in neuro-Behcet's disease and to monitor neurologic status after treatment with immuno-suppressive agents.

Keyword

Neuro-Behcet's disease; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)

MeSH Terms

Aspartic Acid
Autoimmune Diseases
Central Nervous System
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
Neurons
Protons*
Spectrum Analysis
Steroids
Substantia Nigra
Aspartic Acid
Protons
Steroids