May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Headaches What does the results of this Brain spect scan mean?
What does the results of this Brain spect scan mean? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I've had a Atypical chronic headache for 1 year and 3 months now. The only scan I did that showed something abnormal was the Brain-spect scan. Results printed:"The patient recieved an intravenous injection cf Tc-99m Neurolite and images of cerebral perfusion were obtained while the patient was resting with the eyes closed. Images of cerebral perfusion showed normal uptake in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, but there was reduced perfusion noted to the prefrontal cortex and marked reduction in perfusion to the right temporal lobe. OPINION: Images of cerebral perfusion showed reduced uptake in both prefrontal lobes and reduced perfusion to the right temporal lobe. This pattern has been described in depression by the Amen Clinic often associated with symptoms of sadness, irritablility, rage (toward orthers or self in suicidal behavior), mild paranoia, atypical pain (atypical headaches or abdominal pain) and insomnia. This subtype is often made significantly worse by serotonergic medications, and is often helped by anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin or divalproate. the pictures showed large white spots in the front of the brain image Dear Kevyn: Basically the results said that you are having some kind of a vascular headache that will respond better to the anticonvulsivant treatment than the serotonin related medications as for example: “Imigran”, which contains the active ingredient sumatriptan, that works as a serotonin agonist ( by stimulating serotonin receptors in the brain).Serotonin is a natural substance in the brain that, among other things, causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow. Sumatriptan mimics this action of serotonin by directly stimulating the serotonin receptors in the brain. This causes the blood vessels to narrow. Gabapentin is used to help control certain types of seizures in patients who have epilepsy and Migraines. Gabapentin is also used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN); the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles. Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 September 2010 ) |
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