[Diagnostic imaging techniques in the investigation of dementia].
BACKGROUND
Neuroimaging can provide valuable information in the diagnostic work-up of patients presenting with suspected dementia.


METHODS
Based on our experience from a memory clinic at Ullevål University Hospital in Oslo, Norway and on relevant literature identified on Medline, we give an overview of the use of neuroimaging methods in patients with suspected dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
CT of the brain should be offered to all patients with suspected dementia as CT can provide essential diagnostic information regarding focal cerebral pathology (tumour, haemorrhage, normal pressure hydrocephalus). A CT scan is of no value in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease as age-related atrophy may be a confounding factor. CT is necessary to reveal infarcts when vascular dementia is suspected, but lacks sensitivity in the detection of diffuse cerebrovascular disease. MRI is recommended in younger patients and may be used to diagnose subcortical lesions, e.g. leukoariosis. The accuracy of SPECT in the assessment of patients with cognitive impairment is not yet established though it seems to be a promising method for the detection of frontotemporal dementia. Functional MR may play a role in the work-up of dementia in the future.
Øksengård
Anne Rita
AR
Geriatrisk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus 0407 Oslo. a.r.h.oksengard@ioks.uio.no
Haakonsen
Monika
M
Dullerud
Reidar
R
Babovic
Almira
A
Laake
Knut
K
Engedal
Knut
K
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed