Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Brain Spec Scan Shows Increased Uptake ??
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Brain Spec Scan Shows Increased Uptake ??
by Aneliese-Reitz, Jul 19, 1998 12:00AM
Hi CCF, I was wondering what my Spec Scan results mean? I have increased and uneven uptake in one area of my brain- temporal area. I am still in the process of being tested for MS and Lupus. I keep having recurrent headaches, dizziness, vision loss and weakness in extremities. I broke out in red raised rash with joint pain and redness two weeks ago. I was wondering how Lupus if that is what I have would effect the nervous system? My neuro has pratically ruled out MS but with the new onset on symptoms they are questioning if it is Lupus. I appreciate any information you could share with me about this disease and what my spec scan results might indicate? Thank you, Sincerely Anneliese Reitz
=
I'm not sure what the SPECT scan results mean. Typically, one expects changes of blood flow in certain regions, and that may have diagnostic significance in certain situations, but interpretation is complex. If I were to order a SPECT scan, I would have a specific question in mind and a particular area of the brain to be interested in. That way, when the result comes back I can match it against expectations, rather than go fishing for abnormalities. I don't know enough about what neurologic symptoms you may have had which might or might not localize to the temporal lobes. Whether the unevenness represents anything abnormal is hard to say.
Lupus is a tough disease to diagnose and to manage. As a neurologist, I have a basic understanding of it but not the extensive experience that a rheumatologist would have. Therefore, I could guess that rash and joint pain might be related to it but can't be certain. Your other symptoms are relatively nonspecific and I suppose that they could occur in lupus but that's not the first diagnosis which would come to mind. CNS lupus is often devastating, involving inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) leading to strokes. I have also seen my share of venous sinus thrombosis in lupus patients - this obstructs part of the outflow of blood from the brain and leads to symptoms. Your symptoms don't suggest that, and the SPECT scan would probably have had a characteristic appearance if you had a venous sinus thrombosis.
I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.
