Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) is a useful technique for performing noninvasive chemical analysis. N-Acetyl aspartate (NAA) is localized only in neurons, and the NAA peak is considered to be a neuronal marker. A 32-year-old man who had sustained a closed fracture of the femur 6 hours previously, developed sensory aphasia. After excluding other causes of brain infarction, we diagnosed him as having cerebral fat emgbolism. We performed H-1 MRS on the 4th and 30th hospital days, selecting a volume of interest from the infarcted area. We demonstared reduction of the NAA peak, although the findings of SPECT and the patient's neurological improvement might have indicated recanalization of the brain blood flow. It was considered that irreversible ischemic neuronal damage had occurred. We conclude that H-1 MRS is an available method for detecting neuronal loss in cerebral far embolism.
