Rt. Sataloff et al., SINGLE-PHOTON-EMISSION COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY (SPECT) IN NEUROTOLOGIC ASSESSMENT - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT, The American journal of otology, 17(6), 1996, pp. 909-916
The single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan enables cl
inicians to probe dynamic and metabolic changes in brain tissue throug
h measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Diagnostic benef
its of the SPECT scan in clinical neurology have been demonstrated. SP
ECT scanning has been shown to be more sensitive than morphologic imag
ing techniques [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomograp
hy (CT)] in many conditions. However, the use of the scan in assessing
neurotologic complaints remains inadequately investigated. Few studie
s have explored the value of SPECT in establishing the causes of dizzi
ness, hearing loss, and tinnitus. We studied SPECT along with MRI, CT
scan, electroencephalogram (EEG), and other evaluations in patients wi
th these neurotologic complaints. SPECT abnormalities were more freque
nt and prominent than those visualized by other imaging modalities. Ov
erall, 78% of SPECT scans revealed abnormalities. Abnormalities were f
ound in 46% of MRIs, 40% of CTs, and 29% of EEGs. The disparity betwee
n SPECT scanning and other procedures was also seen once patients were
divided by their chief complaints. This study illustrates the sensiti
vity of SPECT scanning in evaluating neurotologic complaints and highl
ights the need for additional research into the importance of SPECT sc
anning in comprehensive neurotologic evaluation.