[Application of SPECT/CT in neurosurgical practice]

The paper presents the experience of application of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and CT in neurosurgery. Combination of these two techniques in the single system provides higher precision of both methods. The novel technique allows assessment of tumor spread in the brain, differential diagnosis of tumor regrowth and radiation-induced necrosis, evaluation of cerebral perfusion in epilepsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and diagnostics of secondary CNS lesions. Examples of primary diagnosis, dynamic follow-up and differential diagnosis of cerebral neoplasms, localization of epileptogenic foci in planning of surgery, prediction of outcome after TBI and evaluation of spread of metastatic skeletal involvement and further application of acquire data are presented.