Role of MR Spectroscopy (H1-MRS) of the Testis in Men with Semen Analysis Altered

Abstract

Purpose: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) has been proposed as a tool to assess male infertility providing metabolic signatures related to the spermatogenesis in the testis. This study sought to identify the role of 1 H-MRS in the diagnosis of infertility in patients with semen analysis altered. Materials and Methods:14 patients (27 testicles) with fertility problems and with an altered semen analysis (5 oligospermia, 3 asthenospermia, 6 oligoasthenospermia) and 9 controls (18 testicles) with normal spermatogenesis assessed (men with prior paternity and normal semen analysis) and normal testicles at magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasonography (US) with colour Doppler (CD) examination were included. All patients underwent testis US and CD investigation, conventional MR examination at 1.5T including T1 and T2 weighted images in three orthogonal planes and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) with single-voxel PRESS (TR 2000 ms / TE 31 ms). Major metabolites peaks (choline, creatine, lipids, lactate) were calculated and compared between the patients and controls.Results: Mean choline peak in the semen analysis altered group was statistically significantly lower than the normal group (0.69 vs 1.34, 95% CI: 0.52 -0.85; p < 0.001). 18 testicles within semen analysis altered group (66,7%) had both MR and US examination negative but mean choline peak lower then controls (1.09 vs 1.34, p < 0.001). 7 testicles of those presented also varicocele at CD investigation. Conclusion:1 H-MRS revealed a significant shift towards lower choline peak in patients with semen analysis altered compared to controls with normal spermatogenesis. Moreover 1 HMRS provided to find out spermatogenesis disorder in patients with normal testis at MR and US examination.

Are there differences in the biochemical profile of bilateral normal testes? A 3.0 T 1H‐MR spectroscopy study

“…The aim of the present study is to assess normal paired testes asymmetry by investigating differences in the biochemical testicular milieu on a 3.0 T system. The main findings are the following: (a) the major metabolic peaks of 1H‐MR spectra in normal adult testes are those of choline, myo‐inositol and lipids, similarly to previous reports (Aaronson et al, 2010; Baleato‐Gonzalez et al, 2015; Firat et al, 2008; Parenti et al, 2016; Storey et al, 2018; Tsili et al, 2016) and (b) although normal paired size testes asymmetry is not confirmed, differences in the biochemical environment of bilateral testes are found; specifically, increase in levels of glutamate and lactate is observed in left normal testis, compared with the right side.…”

“…Currently, scrotal MRI is considered an effective, complementary diagnostic tool for the investigation of abnormal testis (Aganovic & Cassidy, 2012; Mathur, Mills, & Spektor, 2017; Tsili et al, 2014, 2018). 1H‐MRS has recently been added as an adjunct tool to conventional MRI that might serve as a bridge between metabolism and anatomical and physiological changes taking place within previously determined VOIs in normal and pathologic testis (Aaronson et al, 2010; Baleato‐Gonzalez et al, 2015; Firat et al, 2008; Parenti et al, 2016; Storey et al, 2018; Tsili et al, 2016).…”

“…Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) represents a noninvasive functional imaging technique, used as an adjunct tool to conventional MRI, providing metabolic information for normal and abnormal tissues (Shin, Baek, Cha, & Kim, 2012; Stoffey, 2011; Vassiou et al, 2013). Recently, applications of 1H‐MRS in the study of normal and pathologic testes have been reported (Aaronson, Iman, Walsh, Kurhanewicz, & Turek, 2010; Baleato‐González, García‐Figueiras, Santiago‐Pérez, Requejo‐Isidro, & Vilanova, 2015; Firat et al, 2008; Parenti, Albarello, & Campioni, 2016; Storey et al, 2018; Tsili et al, 2016). Several metabolic peaks in 1H‐MR spectra of normal adult testes have been described on a 1.5 T magnet, with most prominent peaks those of choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), myo‐inositol (mI) and lipids (Tsili et al, 2017).…”

Quantitative Proton Spectroscopy of the Testes at 3 T

“…Parenti et al . found that the height of the choline peak was significantly lower in a group of patients with altered semen parameters compared to a control group with normal spermatogenesis 11 .…”

Testicularis adrenalis rest tumor a congenitalis adrenalis hyperplasia hátterében

“…Az eddig megjelent cikkek leginkább az alap-MR-szekvenciákat tanulmányozták TART esetében. Az MR-spektroszkópia hasznos lehet a hereállomány funkciójának megítélésében, mivel károsodott here esetében a colin csúcs csökkenést mutat, már a morfológiai elváltozások megjelenése előtt [22,23].…”