LymeNet Flash: SPEC vs. MRI Need article for PCP please

This is topic SPEC vs. MRI Need article for PCP please in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by abacomah (Member # 5633) on :

I have researched on internet and can't seem to find a good article on SPEC vs. MRI for neuro issues with Lyme Disease.

Neuro radiologist told my PCP needed to do MRI with and without contrast and then do SPEC on specific part of the brain depending on the MRI results. I am concerned my MRI will come back normal as it did in 2003 (after I briefly passed out while driving).

Does anyone have a link to a good article I can give my PCP? I would prefer to just do the spec and not the MRI.

If I convince them to do the SPEC is there a specific test that is better for Lyme? What part of the brain?

Thanks, MA

Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :

SPECT is good is you've already had an MRI with and without contrast that was negative.

Here's a link, but there are bazillions more.

spect scans

Remember, even a positive SPECT is not actually diagnostic for lyme; it can mean any number of things. (Though if you already are dx'd with lyme it's kind of a no-brainer, pun intended.) :-)

Also, here's a link to Columbia's lyme center (a SERIOUS place to get a SPECT scan!). Here's how THEY would work you up. This is where Dr. Fallon does his research. And it's the order in which he would do it (MRI first, then SPECT).

Columbia Lyme Center

Good luck.

Michelle

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

michelle,

your link to columbia center came out BLANK; please check it out and fix; i'd love to read it too! thanks!! [group hug]