SURFACE AND VOLUME 3-DIMENSIONAL DISPLAYS OF TC-99M HMPAO BRAIN SPECTIMAGES IN STROKE PATIENTS BY A 3-HEADED GAMMA-CAMERA

Twenty patients with strokes were studied to evaluate volume and surfa ce three-dimensional (3D) displays in Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT imaging using a triple-head gamma camera interfaced with a 64-bit super compu ter. In each patient, after an intravenous injection of 20 to 30 mCi o f Tc-99m HMPAO, a first-pass cerebral flow study and brain SPECT image s at 30 to 60 minutes were obtained. Although the cerebral lesion was more clearly delineated with surface 3D and volume 3D, crossed cerebel lar diaschisis in seven patients was more clearly exhibited by volume 3D rather than surface 3D imaging. Volume and surface 3D displays enha nce continuity of structures and understanding of spatial relationship s; these displays view the brain from all angles, and thus the locatio n and extension of Lesion(s) in the brain are much easier to appreciat e. It is concluded that 1) both surface and volume 3D displays equally enhance SPECT interpretation; and 2) volume 3D display enhances demon stration of crossed cerebellar diaschisis, but surface 3D display does not.