99mTc-HMPAO brain single photon emission computerized tomography in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies present with diverse neurological and muscular symptoms.
• Current diagnostic methods lack functional imaging evaluation.
• 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT imaging was explored for functional assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT in diagnosing and assessing various mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.
• To correlate imaging findings with specific disease types.

Main Methods:

• 15 patients with molecularly diagnosed mitochondrial encephalomyopathies underwent 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT.
• Patient groups included Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), MELAS, MERRF, and Leigh syndrome.

Main Results:

• Decreased radiotracer accumulation observed in parieto-temporal regions in MELAS and MERRF patients post-stroke-like episodes.
• Diminished brain perfusion noted in KSS, potentially linked to encephalomyopathy or effusion.
• No significant correlation found between clinical manifestations and imaging findings in LHON and Leigh syndrome.

Conclusions:

• 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT is valuable for diagnosing and monitoring MERRF, MELAS, and KSS.
• The diagnostic and prognostic role of this imaging modality in LHON and Leigh syndrome remains uncertain.