Impact of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) and Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in the Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Case Report.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as damage to the brain resulting from an external force. TBI, a global leading cause of death and disability, is associated with serious social, economic, and health problems. In cases of mild-to-moderate brain damage, conventional anatomical imaging modalities may or may not detect the cascade of metabolic changes that have occurred or are occurring at the intracellular level. Functional nuclear medicine imaging and neurophysiological parameters can be used to characterize brain damage, as the former provides direct visualization of brain function, even in the absence of overt behavioral manifestations or anatomical findings. We report the case of a 30-year-old Hispanic male veteran who, after 2 traumatic brain injury events, developed cognitive and neuropsychological problems with no clear etiology in the presence of negative computed tomography (CT) findings.
VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, PR; University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR; University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.
Irma L
IL
Molina-Vicenty
VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, PR; Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, PR.
Michelaldemar
M
Santiago-Sánchez
VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, PR; University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR;
Iván
I
Vélez-Miró
VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, PR; University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR; Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, PR.
Keryl
K
Motta-Valencia
D000328:Adult; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
Positron Emission Tomography (PET); Single-Photon Emission Computed
Tomography (SPECT); Somatosensory Evoked
Potentials (SSEP); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)