Technetium-99m-Hmpao Spect and Mri of Brain in Patients with Neuro-Behcet 'S Syndrome
Resource
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE v.39 n.10 pp.1707-1710
Journal
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Journal Volume
v.39
Journal Issue
n.10
Pages
1707-1710
Date Issued
1998
Date
1998
Author(s)
KAO, CHIA-HUNG
LAN, JONNG-LIANG
CHANG, LAI, SHENG-PING
CHIENG, POON-UNG
Abstract
Involvement of the brain is one of the most important complications of Behcet's disease (BS). It is difficult to diagnose, however, because of the lack of effective imaging methods. METHODS: Thirteen BS patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms or signs [Neuro-Behcet's syndrome (NBS)] were included in this study. We combined two routine brain imaging modalities- brain SPECT with 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and brain MRI-with clinical manifestations to diagnose brain involvement. RESULTS: Technetium-99m-HMPAO brain SPECT findings were abnormal in 100%(13/13) of patients. Brain MRI findings were abnormal in 31% (4/13) of patients. Gray matter was involved more commonly than white matter. In the gray matter, the cerebral cortex was the most commonly involved area and the cerebellum was the least commonly involved area in NBS. CONCLUSION: SPECT is a more sensitive and useful tool in detecting brain involvement in NBS patients compared with brain MRI. The combination of HMPAO and MRI is necessary to detect brain lesions in both gray and white matter in NBS.