Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of head and neck neoplasms.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a validated noninvasive method for evaluation of possible malignant tumor and lymph nodes of the head and neck. From its roots as a budding research application, it has made the critical transition to a widespread clinical tool. MRS analyzes the tissue at a molecular level and searches for the presence of specific metabolites, which are markers for malignancy. Differentiation of benign from malignant neoplasm, detection of recurrence of malignant tumor and noninvasive treatment monitoring of treated or untreated tumor are some of the important utilities of MRS. One dimensional 1H-MRS is the most popular and promising technique for spectroscopic analysis while P-31 MRA and two-dimensional correlated spectroscopy (2D COSY) have also showed some promise. This article describes the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy for evaluation of malignant tumors of the neck.