Volume and surface three-dimensional displays of Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT imaging in a chronic hypnosedative abuser.
An alcohol- and diazepam-abusing patient underwent brain CT and SPECT imaging studies. The CT scan showed mild brain atrophy, whereas SPECT imaging using Tc-99m HMPAO showed a large lesion in the left cerebral hemisphere. The extent of lesion involvement was appreciated by three-dimensional displays. This finding was associated with a clinical presentation of hypnosedative withdrawal delirium (disorientation, impaired memory, rambling speech with loose associations, paranoia, ideation, restlessness, poor judgment). Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT may provide objective documentation of regional cerebral neurochemical alteration associated with hypnosedative abuse or hypnosedative withdrawal states, whereas surface and volume three-dimensional displays simplify and enhance brain SPECT image interpretation.
Shih
W J
WJ
Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.
Hyatt
M
M
D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D003975:Diazepam