summary: MRI is the imaging modality of preference in MS. The authors hypothesized that single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with Tc-99m MIBI or Tc-99m ECD (ethyl cysteinate dimer) may be a valuable assessment tool in MS because of the role of inflammation and disruption of blood-brain barrier in the disease pathophysiology. SPECT with Tc-99m MIBI or Tc-99m ECD was used to evaluate brain abnormalities identified using conventional MRI sequences in 16 patients with definite MS but failed to detect any abnormalities. The authors postulate that SPECT with Tc-99m MIBI or Tc-99m ECD may still be useful in differentiating between MS and connective tissue disorders affecting the brain which exhibit SPECT hyperperfusion.

authors: Assadi M, Salimipour H, Seyedabadi M, Saberifard J, Javadi H, Nabipour I, Nemati R.

source: Clin Nucl Med. 2010 Sep;35(9):682-6.

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