Myocardial perfusion and left ventricular quantitative parameters obtained using gated myocardial SPECT: Comparison of three software packages.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare Emory Cardiac Toolbox, Myovation, and Quantitative Gated SPECT software regarding the automatic measurements of perfusion and functional left ventricular (LV) quantitative parameters, summed stress score (SSS), perfusion defect score, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume (ESV).

Methods And Results: mTc-tetrofosmin gated SPECT studies were performed in 634 consecutive patients based on the one-day stress/rest protocol. Participants were divided into subgroups according to heart size (ESV cut-off value: 25 mL), perfusion (SSS >/≤3), and other patient/protocol-related factors.

SPECT neuroimaging and neuropsychological functions in different stages of Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: The present study investigated differences and associations between cortical perfusion, nigrostriatal dopamine pathway and neuropsychological functions in different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: We recruited 53 non-demented PD patients divided into four groups according to the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) staging system and 20 healthy controls who were used in the comparison of the neuropsychological findings. Each patient underwent two separate brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies (perfusion and dopamine transporter binding) as well as neuropsychological evaluation.

Dopamine transporter SPECT/CT and perfusion brain SPECT imaging in idiopathic basal ganglia calcinosis.

A case of idiopathic basal ganglia calcification in a 56-year-old woman with parkinsonism and cognitive impairment is described. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and regional cerebral blood flow were evaluated using dopamine transporter (DAT) brain single photon emission tomography combined with a low-dose x-ray computerized tomography transmission (hybrid SPECT/CT) and Tc-99m HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT study, respectively. DAT SPECT/CT imaging revealed a reduction in DAT binding in both striatum regions coinciding with bilateral calcifications in the basal ganglia.

Neuropsychological functions and rCBF SPECT in Parkinson's disease patients considered candidates for deep brain stimulation.

Purpose: In the present study, we examined relationships between neuropsychological functions and brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) observed at presurgical evaluation for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Methods: Twenty advanced non-demented PD patients, candidates for DBS surgery, underwent perfusion brain SPECT study and neuropsychological assessment prior to surgery (range: 30-50 days). Patients were further assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale.