Dopamine transporter SPECT/CT and perfusion brain SPECT imaging in idiopathic basal ganglia calcinosis.
A case of idiopathic basal ganglia calcification in a 56-year-old woman with parkinsonism and cognitive impairment is described. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and regional cerebral blood flow were evaluated using dopamine transporter (DAT) brain single photon emission tomography combined with a low-dose x-ray computerized tomography transmission (hybrid SPECT/CT) and Tc-99m HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT study, respectively. DAT SPECT/CT imaging revealed a reduction in DAT binding in both striatum regions coinciding with bilateral calcifications in the basal ganglia. Brain perfusion scan showed hypoperfusion in basal ganglia regions, posterior parietal cortex bilaterally, left frontopolar and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and left temporal lobe. These findings correlated well with the clinical condition of the patient. Mineralization may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of neuronal degeneration. Cortical perfusion changes in patients may better explain the patient's altered cognitive and motor functions.
Paschali
Anna
A
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Patras Medical School, General University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece. a_pashali@yahoo.gr
Lakiotis
Velissarios
V
Messinis
Lambros
L
Markaki
Elli
E
Constantoyannis
Constantine
C
Ellul
John
J
Vassilakos
Pavlos
P
D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D055420:Perfusion Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime