LymeNet Flash: Cerebral Spec Scan

This is topic Cerebral Spec Scan in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by JustMeInCT (Member # 7237) on :

Has anyone had a cerebral spec scan?

What is this test suppose to show?

What should I expect?

Please let me know.

Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :

I was going to post this same question. My son is scheduled for one in nyc early August.

Also.......any advice when you call the insurance co for precertification and they say you don't need this. (The scheduler said that could happen).

The scheduler also said we's be there 2-3 hours.

I gather this is helpful for the research Dr. Fallon is doing and also to note changes later on after treatment.

Posted by Kathi (Member # 2261) on :

I had one about 3 years ago at Columbia University. The process is very much like an MRI. Usually they do a scan, then inject a drug
that I know under the name Diamox, which is a
diureticum, it pulls the water out of the body.
After a while the 2. scan is done. Mine showed mild damage that was not visible in an MRI. K.

Posted by jloisu (Member # 7538) on :

Dear JustMeInCT, Valymemom, and Kathi,

I'm not a doctor, but I just had a SPECT done on May 11, 2005 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. First of all, to ease your tensions, it was painless. It was similar to an MRI where they put your head into a tube, but they do have 3 plates that come VERY close to your head and then slowly turn 360 degrees and image your brain.

Prior to this, they put you in a room and let your brain rest, and then they inject you with a radioactive die (this is why it is a nuclear medicine test) that goes through your blood stream.

The SPECT scan (Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) uses radioactive tracers and shows things like vascultis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain), decreased neurological activity, decreased blood flow, seizure disorders, trauma, etc. The radioactive dye attaches to the neurons in your brain and shows the activity in the brain.

The difference between this and an MRI is that this is like a video camera and an MRI/CAT scan is like a photo camera taking snap shots. I would warn you though, be ready for the results. I went in and got my results myself and I was pretty crushed. I have multiple areas of moderate or even marked decreased neurological activity and I'm sure it is from the Lyme going on this long causing seizures. My results even said things like it looked like I had trauma to my brain even though I've never hit my head.

The entire test takes about 45 minutes and is pretty easy just gotta sit still and keep you eyes closed because it is much more closterphobic than an MRI.

As far as the insurance goes valeymemom, you can do a presubmission for coverage where you submit it as though you have had the test done, it is called a predetermination, and they should be able to tell you if they will cover it. That is why my insurance told me to do with other tests like this. Mine was covered though. I just got a bill. The test itself was $2,062, thank heavens for insurance. Problem is I lost my job and my insurance runs out in November

Did your docs tell you what they are looking for, i.e. the diagnosis codes? Mine were vasculitis and Lyme disease?

Best of luck to you...we are all in this together!

jloisu

Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :

jloisu,

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, I have the codes for my son. I will follow your advice for insurance, too.

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

my son just had one done on wed of this week for dr. jones office..it was very open machine..not closed or claustrophobic at all..they injected him, adn the outside of htis machine htat's about a foot from his head rotates around him and takes pic..your not closed in like an mri at all in a tube or anything...
it was over in about 45 minutes..just waiting to hear..easy for my son.had it done in midddletown , ct.

lisa

Posted by JustMeInCT (Member # 7237) on :

I had my Cerebral Spec Scan on Friday in NYC; wished I had known that the procedure is performed in Middletown, CT - a lot closer to my house.

The actual test itself does not take that long - 25 minutes; however, the dye injection and subsequent settling takes about 45 minutes. My insurance required a referral from a plan doctor, which I had.

The radiologist explained to me that the test examines the lesions on my brain and from it, it can be determined whether my lesions are due to MS or lyme.

With this information in hand, I can start a medication program, since I already tested positive for lyme on an Igenex Western Blot test.

It is interesting, I sought second opinions from two neurologists. Each of them pursued different avenues of testing. While getting to all the appointments has been a challenge, I think that I will be much better off with this greater body of knowledge of what afflicts me. As a result, I will be able to make the best decision possible as to the road I choose to pursue in the future.

Posted by jloisu (Member # 7538) on :

I would like to hear what your doctors have to say about your SPECT scan results. I changed Lyme docs and see my new and better LLMD next week, but when I showed my used to be neurologist the results of my SPECT scan that my old Lyme doc ordered he dismissed them and said that the SPECT scan was a "bad and unreliable test".

All of the research I have done says that this is a very good test and is one of the few that shows the actual neurological function of the brain and the blood flow to the brain as opposed to an MRI, CAT scan, or MRA which just show the structure of the brain.

Please email me and let me know what your docs have to say. My SPECT was VERY abnormal with many areas of moderate to marked decreased neurological activity. Doesn't sound normal to me...but my neurologist (I call him my proctologist) dismisses it, so I dismissed him - this is a service industry.

Thanks,

jloisu

email: [email protected]

Posted by cigi (Member # 6600) on :

My spect in January said moderate global hypoperfusion with heterogenity which cooncides with encephilitis, vasculitis, lyme disease or medicinces can cause. Neurologist in columbia said I should retake after my 6 mos of rocephin and didn't make much of it. My psychiatrist and LLMD think its a difinitive for lyme and treatment. When you're anxiety and depressed ridden, where do you draw the line between lyme, you, regular ocd which I have , anxiety.

Good luck - no pain at all and I hope you find answers.

Cigi