posted
Can someone please tell me the difference between these two? I have severe disorientation, brain fog, etc. I've had numerous MRI's showing nothing..would a spect scan show anything different?
posted
An MRI will show lesions, or areas of damage caused by a variety of things such as Lyme, MS, Migraines or vascular issues.
A spect scan highlights blood flow in specific areas of the brain. For instance, a spect scan may show abnormal blood flow in the frontal lobe of a typical patient with Neuro Lyme.
Before the scan, you are injected with a radioactive material (small amount), that will highlight the areas of the brain. Areas with good blood flow will show brighter on the scan as they uptake more of the tracer material. Areas with decreased flow will not show as brightly or darker on the scan because they fail to uptake as much of the tracer material as they other areas.
I hope this helps.
Posts: 157 | From connecticut | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Thank you that does help me a lot. I have a lot of trouble finding words and understanding conversations..I wonder if a spect scan would show anything??
posted
I've seen pictures of SPECT scans on people who have used caffeine, nicotine, etc. Also, on the IDSA website, one of the speakers showed a before and after SPECT scan. SPECT scans are way cool I think. I think it should so something.
-------------------- Dying is easy. Living is harder. Posts: 257 | From owensboro kentucky | Registered: Mar 2008
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SPECT scan: shows amount of oxygen going to various parts of brain. If not normal, term used is "hypoperfusion" which can range from mild to severe. Can be reversed with abx treatment.
MRI: shows structural changes/abnormalities. Cannot be changed w/treatment.
Opted to only have SPECT scans done for my kids, since I'm only interested in what can be changed with treatment.
MRIs might have been somehow interesting or helpful, but not for me...don't want to know what can't be changed.
Posts: 214 | From where ticks flourish | Registered: Dec 2007
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Amyqu
Unregistered
posted
Spect scans show a typical pattern for lyme patients. I've had both MRI's and Spects and they were both helpful in different ways.
Also, a Spect scan can "prove" you have lyme if your blood work isn't conclusive.
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