posted
Well, we couldn't make it to Columbia for the SPECT so we went for a local hospital for this test for my wife. The result is more confusing than help to us.
Flat out, it says under Impression "Normal perfusion brain SPECT with no definite evidence of Lyme disease."
But she has been tested positive for Lyme and co-infections. And she suffers severe metal function issues.
And then the fine print says "Natural Killer (NK) cells, a component of the cell mediated arm of the immune system, mediated destruction of some types of tumor cells and virus infected cells." And it went on to seemingly blame women with "recurrent spontaneous abortions".
So what does this report means?
If whatever the NK cells mediated destruction of...virus infected cells, could this indicate Lyme bacteria? How can they tell virus from bacteria from the SPECT?
I have heard that we could ask for different technician to read the result, how do we go about that?
Oh yeah, I am not sure if this is important, the test appears to be performed by Focus Technologies in CA.
AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
Is there any mention of perfusion defects or hypoperfusion of any kind, outside of the "Impression"?
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Not sure why some LLMDs order this test. It seems like a "duckish" test. It often seems to give inconclusive results and is somewhat expensive.
Posts: 655 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
ALIG - Under findings, it says that there is physiologic distribution of radiotracer with no significant perfusion abnormalities seen.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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nenet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13174
posted
I wouldn't worry too much about it personally, as your wife (or anyone) can still have neuroLyme in full force without also having hypoperfusion. It is just one of many possible symptoms that can occur with neuro involvement.
Is there a particular reason she was tested? Are you trying to get her coverage by showing test results, or something like that? If you need other options, sometimes the effects of neurolyme show up well in a neuropsychiatric test (I think I have that right), but that is also not definitive (meaning, she still may not show much on the testing, but can still have obvious, strong, neurolyme symptoms).
Something else to consider which I saw mentioned here recently when someone else posted that their SPECT showed no hypoperfusion, was that you must try not to eat or drink certain things the day of the test (before the test), or be too active before hand, as they can skew the results by increasing blood flow or causing vasodilation. Some meds can also cause this to happen.
If you wife has also been in treatment for a while, it can also have an effect on the results.
The test was ordered by the LLMD. I didin't even know what it was for until afterward. I guess that LLMD thought it would be helpful to understand her condition better. I am not sure. He didn't explain well what he tried to see.
She has done a neuropsychological test which clearly shows she has severe issues. But then of ocurse that wasn't Lyme specific. But yeah, her mental condition is a mess.
The test was done right after the treatment started, so I am not sure if it would have any effect. But I don't remember if we were instructed clearly about food and drinks.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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blaze
Unregistered
posted
My SPECT scan showed reduced blood flow to various areas of the brain.
How did your wife feel during the test though? Having the SPECT scan done of my brain confirmed that electromagnetic radiation was a trigger to my symptoms. Bugs react to electromagnetic radiation, and I almost died right there on the table as soon as she flipped the switch 'on'.
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Hi blaze - she felt normal during the test, and afterward. Guess those bugs were asleep that day. Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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kreynolds
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15117
posted
yanivnaced,
I think it is a great test that they do over there at Columbia.
Much better than a CT or an MRI in my opinion.
wtl,
Thats mindboggling!
I know it may sound like it doesn't make sense because of how she is feeling, but it may actually be a good thing!
I only know Columbia pretty well... Maybe try getting another one done at Columbia??? Just throwing it out there...
I went about 10 months ago and mine came back MODERATE-SEVERE Hypoperfusion mainly in the Watershed Areas...
I am sorry your wife is going through this ordeal.
Like I said before, this may be good!
Best Wishes!!!
-------------------- Diagnosed CDC + 6/2007
Quest: + IGG Bands 18,23,39,41,58,66 and 93.
Quest: + IGM Bands 23,39
Quest: + Bartonella (B.Henselea & B. Quintana),+ Babesia, and + Mycoplasma and Lyme-Induced Addisons Disease
+ Biofilm blood test 12/2010 Posts: 1185 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
Kreynolds - mindboggling is the right word. Everything about this disease is making my head spin.
She will be seeing a new doctor so I will ask if he thinks another test by Columbia is needed. Thanks for the thought.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Yes and remember the test is only as good as the person who reads it.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
You can request a copy of the scan itself, and send it to Columbia to let their people read it. The scan itself (objective) is of more value than the eye of the (perhaps) untrained interpreter (subjective), I agree with Pinelady.
~ Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Haven't read all the responses, but I think you are mixing up 2 different test results.
The SPECT report is probably only 1 or 2 pages at most -- should be signed by the radiologist who read it -- would be someone at the hospital or a radiologist they have a contract with.
Focus Technologies does specialized blood tests -- don't think they read your SPECT scan.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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remember - absolutely no caffeinated products 48 hours before test (not even decaf coffee or tea)
-------------------- This is NOT medical advice - and should NOT be used to replace your MD's advice. Info is only the opinion of those who publish the site.
The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.
cb Posts: 669 | From somewherebetweentherocks | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I think I will ask for an actual scan. And anyone know who and where in Columbia I should contact for a reading of the scan?
seibertneurolyme - the report I received is a two-page thing and seem to be the same report. And on the bottom of the second page, it states that the test was performed by Focus Technologies - that in itself is strange because I thought Focus Technologies changed its name to Focus Diagnostics before the test was done.
Not sur ehat that was about.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
And njlymemom - I can't remember if she had any tea within that 48 hours but she stopped drinking coffee some time ago.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Seibert - you are right, after all. They are two different tests. The SPECT report only contains one page. The other from Focus Technologies is for NK cell function blood work, ordered by the same doctor.
I am still confused by the result but at least I have one less confusion now. Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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