Clinical nuclear medicine
-
Clinical nuclear medicine · Feb 2002
Tc-99m ethylcysteinate dimer brain SPECT perfusion imaging in ictal nonepileptic visual hallucinations.
Visual hallucinations can occur within the central nervous system and may be associated with a lesion anywhere in the visual pathway. The purpose of this study was to assess "ictal" regional cerebral blood flow with Tc-99m ethylcysteinate dimer (ECD) SPECT in patients having acute hallucinations, and to compare the findings to the "interictal" state. ⋯ This prospective preliminary study suggests that brain imaging using SPECT may be useful in identifying the mechanisms and evolution of blood flow abnormalities in certain subgroups of patients who have visual hallucinations and may assist in the selection of specific therapy.
-
Clinical nuclear medicine · Feb 2002
Effect of high specific-activity sulfur colloid preparations on sentinel node count rates.
Preliminary results by other investigators suggest that increasing the specific activity of Tc-99m nanocolloid preparations increases the measured counts in sentinel nodes compared with lower specific-activity (SA) preparations using the same initial injected dose. The authors set out to determine whether a similar result could be perceived with Tc-99m sulfur colloid (SC) preparations. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest higher counts in the sentinel node are possible with a higher SA preparation.
-
Clinical nuclear medicine · Feb 2002
Inaccuracy of Tl-201 brain SPECT in distinguishing cerebral infections from lymphoma in patients with AIDS.
Studies have suggested using Tl-201 brain SPECT to differentiate lymphoma from infectious processes and to determine the timing for biopsy or empirical therapy for patients with AIDS-related brain lesions. This study prospectively investigated the utility of Tl-201 SPECT in distinguishing central nervous system lymphoma from non-neoplastic disease in patients with AIDS. ⋯ Tl-201 brain SPECT appears unreliable for differentiating primary lymphoma from nonmalignant brain lesions in patients with AIDS. Early brain biopsy is necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis when appropriate.