Spect Scan Of Brain??

  Hi Cleveland Clinic,  I hoping you may be able to help me understand why this test was ordered by my neurologist as part of workup for MS. I know it is a Scan done by Nucleur Medicine. But, I can't find anything saying used on the brain. I was wondering if this is benifical in helping diagnose MS?  I have had MRI Scans done of brain and C-spine both negative. Is the Spect Scan a safe test no risk? I just would like to know a little more about this test that I am supposed to be scheduled for.
  Sincerely, Anneliese Reitz
=======================================================================
Dear Annelieze:
I do not know why your doctor scheduled a SPECT scan for MS. I would suggest that you ask him. He may have some questions he would like to get an answer to.
SPECT scan is a relatively new type of brain imaging technique that is used to study the function of the brain. This study looks for the blood perfusion of the brain, therefore if an area has less or more blood it will show up different of the SPECT scan.
Is it safe? it is a test that uses a small amount of radioactive material and it has been used for 5-6 years without reported significant effects.
The way this test is done (most of the times): An intravenous injection of a radioactive product will be injected. Within 3-4 hours a scan will be taken (the machine is somehow similar to the CT scan machine and much smaller and less noisy than the MRI machine). Therafter, a computer rendered image or images will be generated and looked at for spots of increased or decreased perfusion. The interpretation of the result depends on the clinical question asked.
I hope my answers are clear and are not very technical.
Good luck