Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in the differential diagnosis of the dementias with histopathologic confirmation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to determine the value of Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in the diagnosis of the dementias, with particular reference to Alzheimer disease.


METHODS
Tc-99m HMPAO was used with a 3-camera scanner to produce 5 sets of sectional images of the brain. Diagnosis was made by a physician blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Results in 49 subjects were ultimately compared with neuropathologic study of the brain at autopsy.


RESULTS
Sensitivity = 86.7% (68.4-95.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]), specificity = 89.5% (65.5-98.2% CI), positive predictive value = 92.9% (75.0-98.8% CI), negative predictive value = 81% (57.4-93.7% CI), accuracy = 87.8% (74.5-94.9% CI), likelihood ratio = 8.23% (7.09-9.57% CI).


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison is made with several other SPECT and PET series with histopathologic correlation. Brain blood flow SPECT is useful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the dementias.
Bonte
Frederick J
FJ
Nuclear Medicine Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9061, USA. Frederick.Bonte@UTSouthwestern.edu
Harris
Thomas S
TS
Hynan
Linda S
LS
Bigio
Eileen H
EH
White
Charles L
CL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003704:Dementia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime