SPECT - What is it?

5/04/01 (Agahtehrani)

Question: What is SPECT?

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Unique Identifier: 95022222 / PubMed Identifier: 7936259

Authors: Masdeu JC. Brass LM. Holman BL. Kushner MJ.

Institution: Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, NY.

Abstract: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides cost-effective information on regional cerebral perfusion and, indirectly, on regional cerebral metabolism. Its ease of use facilitates the application of SPECT in clinical neurology. SPECT is emerging as a useful tool for the management of patients with stroke, epilepsy, recurrent brain neoplasms, and some forms of dementia. The applications being investigated, such as in vivo receptor labeling for benzodiazepines, serotonin, dopamine, and muscarinic receptors, may expand the clinical usefulness of this technique in the future. [References: 210]

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Unique Identifier: 92220952 / PubMed Identifier: 1561325

Authors: Podoloff DA. Kim EE. Haynie TP.

Institution: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.

Abstract: In the past 7 years, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has evolved from an interesting nuclear medicine technique rarely performed because of technical difficulties into a valuable clinical tool in the management of cancer cases. The development of stable multidetector instruments with collimators and gantries specifically designed for SPECT and the introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have rapidly moved SPECT from the field of clinical investigation to clinical practice. SPECT is a valuable addition to other tomographic modalities capable of displaying the physiology of disease as well as anatomy. In this work the authors describe the role of SPECT in a cancer center and, in particular, how they use it to solve clinical problems. They also review the published literature, when appropriate. The authors have found SPECT of particular value in evaluation of myocardial ischemia, in differentiating tumor recurrence from posttherapy changes in the lymphomas, in tumor diagnosis and surveillance, and in separating hemangioma from malignant lesions in the liver. [References: 107]

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Unique Identifier: 90096356 / PubMed Identifier: 2403612

Authors: Holman BL. Tumeh SS.

Institution: Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.

Abstract: Single-photon emission computed tomography has received increasing attention as radiopharmaceuticals that reflect perfusion, metabolism, and receptor and cellular function have become widely available. Perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography of the brain provides functional information useful for the diagnosis and management of stroke, dementia, and epilepsy. Single-photon emission computed tomography has been applied to myocardial, skeletal, hepatic, and tumor scintigraphy, resulting in increased diagnostic accuracy over planar imaging because background activity and overlapping tissues interfere far less with activity from the target structure when tomographic techniques are used. Single-photon emission computed tomography is substantially less expensive and far more accessible than positron emission tomography and will become an increasingly attractive alternative for transferring the positron emission tomography technology to routine clinical use. In addition, single-photon emission computed tomography has unique applications that are increasingly finding their way into the routine practice of clinical nuclear medicine. [References: 37]