Question: What exactly is a SPECT scan and how is it performed?
Dr. Amen's Answer:
SPECT stands for "single photon emission computed tomography." It is a nuclear medicine procedure that is widely used to study and diagnose problems related to the heart, liver, thyroid, bone, and brain. Safe and reliable, brain SPECT imaging measures cerebral blood flow. Blood flow is directly related to brain activity. Because of this, SPECT scans effectively reveal the patterns of activity within the brain. A physician who is experienced in reading SPECT scans can observe areas of the brain with normal activity, areas of the brain with too much activity, and areas of the brain with too little activity.
SPECT scans can be used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. According to the Society of Nuclear Medicine, brain SPECT scans can be used for the evaluation of suspected brain trauma and suspected dementia, for the pre-surgical location of seizures, and for the detection and evaluation of cerebral vascular disease. At the Amen Clinics, because of our experience, we also use brain SPECT scans for the evaluation of violence; substance abuse; the subtypes of ADD, anxiety, and depression; complex or resistant psychiatric problems; and for general health screening.
Having a brain SPECT scan is a simple and painless procedure that is performed in a quiet room. After the patient enters the room, a small intravenous (IV) line is started, usually in the hand or arm. The patient remains quiet for about 10 minutes while keeping his or her eyes open. At this point, an imaging agent is injected through the IV.
After a few moments, the patient lies still on a table for approximately 15 minutes while the SPECT camera rotates around his or her head. Note that the patient does not have to go into a tube for this procedure. When the scan is completed, the IV is removed and the patient can return to his or her normal activities.
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