Abstract |
Transient ischemic attacks (TJAs) is a syndrome
resulting from brain ischemia lasting less than 24
hours. The mechanisms of TIAs may be similar to those
of cerebral embolism and thrombosis, and thus TIAs may
be followed by cerebral infarction. Despite the
availability of CT scanning, the diagnosis and
management of TIAs continue to be difficult. Recently
SPECT has been advocated as a diagnostic imaging
modality. We performed Tc-99m-HMPAO regional cerebral
blood flow (rCRF) SPECT in 24 patients with the
clinical diagnosis of TIAs to assess its ability to
detect early changes of rCBF, and determine the
diagnos(ic value. l en men and fourteen women with an
average of 51 years (range; 27- "i4 years) were i
ncluded. All but 8 patients had normal brain CT prior
to SPECT. The two patients had mdderate degree of hrain
atrophy and the 6 patients nonspecific calcifications.
Eighteen of the 24 patients had abnormal Tc-99m-HMPAO
rCBF SPECT. Fifteen had unilateral involvement and the
other three had bilateral involvemeots. Seventy-five
percents of the defects were found in the left cerebral
hemisphere. According to the distribution of the
lesions (total number: 34 tesions), fourteen were in
the parietal, eight in the ternporal, and the
remainders were elsewhere. Tc-99m-HMPAO rCHF SPECT is
sensitive in detecting vCRF abnormalities in patients
with TIAs, and represent the most accurate diagnostic
tool available in the diagnosis of TIAs. |