title: The impact of DaTscan on the diagnosis and management of movement disorders: A retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains a challenge in patients who have abnormal symptoms or show a lack of response to medication. The imaging technique, DaTscan, can be used to visualize dopamine degeneration in the nigro-striatum, which is associated with Parkinsonian Syndrome. We examined the use of the DaTscan in diagnosis, confidence in diagnosis, and clinical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physicians of 125 patients were contacted to fill out a brief survey about changes in diagnosis, confidence of diagnosis, and clinical management after assessment with the DaTscan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an overall increase in confidence of diagnosis with the results of the DaTscan. Physicians also stated that the DaTscan impacted their diagnosis in 68% of the patients, as well as an impact in the clinical management of 58% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DaTsan can be used as a tool to help diagnose Parkinsonian Syndrome in patients with unclear symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Jonathan I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Wiener
keywords: 123I Ioflupane; DaTscan; parkinsonian syndrome