[Single-photon emission-computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of dementia]

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

[Single-photon emission-computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of dementia]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1989 Oct 27;114(43):1639-44. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/90032332
Deisenhammer E; Reisecker F; Leblhuber F; Holl K; Markut H; Trenkler J; Schneider I; Abteilung fur klinische Neurophysiologie,; Wagner-Jauregg-Krankenhauses, Linz.

Abstract: To assess the value of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the differential diagnosis of dementia SPECT and conventional computed tomography were performed in 77 patients (50 men, 27 women, mean age 59 [28-90] years) with dementia diagnosed by a battery of psychometric tests. In 13 out of 15 patients with dementia of Alzheimer type SPECT showed a typical Alzheimer pattern (bilateral parietotemporal perfusion defects). Both patients with dementia of Pick type had definite decreases in frontal perfusion. All 21 patients with dementia due to Huntington's chorea showed a typical pattern with absent perfusion of the head of the caudate nucleus, although in three of them conventional computed tomography didn't demonstrate complete atrophy of this structure. Out of 23 patients with multi-infarct dementia there were 17 with focal uptake deficits at various sites, while six displayed an Alzheimer pattern. In Korsakoff's syndrome (n = 11), Down's syndrome (n = 1), Fahr's syndrome (n = 2), senile chorea (n = 1) and HIV encephalopathy (n = 1) no typical distribution patterns were noted. Single photon emission computed tomography can make a contribution to the diagnosis and classification of primary degenerative dementias and can be used to differentiate them from other forms of dementia.

Keywords: Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Alcohol Amnestic Disorder/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING Alzheimer's Disease/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING AIDS Dementia Complex/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING Brain/RADIOGRAPHY/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING Dementia/CLASSIFICATION/ETIOLOGY/*RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING Dementia, Multi-Infarct/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING Diagnosis, Differential Down Syndrome/RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING English Abstract Female Human Huntington's Disease/COMPLICATIONS Male Middle Age *Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon Tomography, X-Ray Computed JOURNAL ARTICLE
900228
M9020135

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