Identifying Brain Infections with MRS

Researchers at the Center for Infectious Disease and Microbiology at Westmead Millennium Institute (Sidney, Australia) have devised a safe and simple method of distinguishing between different kinds of brain infection and brain tumors, and for quickly identifying cases of meningitis.

Currently available technologies such as computed tomography (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot clearly distinguish between different brain infections and other brain disorders such as tumors. Because of this, some patients will undergo invasive and risky brain surgery to determine their condition before treatment with antibiotics can start. Utilizing conventional MRI technology, clinicians can now use a method called MR spectrometry (MRS) to effectively and rapidly differentiate between tumor and infection. As the technology becomes more sophisticated, clinicians will soon be able to detect the kind of infection so that patients can receive fast treatment options.

"When diagnosing bacterial or viral brain infections, accuracy and speed are vitally important,” stated chief investigator of the study, Prof. Tania Sorrel. "In the past, patients who may have been successfully treated with something as simple as antibiotics have had to go through general anesthesia and risky brain surgery before treatment has started. Our research will enable these dangerous infections to be picked up quickly, simply, and cost-effectively. The same kind of test on spinal fluid samples can used to rapidly diagnose meningitis, a particular problem in children, leading to more targeted treatment and better outcomes.”




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Westmead Millennium Institute