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Cerebral sparganosis: increased uptake of technetium-99m-HMPAO

D L You1, K Y Tzen, P F Kao

  • 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Insights

Cerebral sparganosis, a rare brain infection, can show increased technetium Tc 99m labeled sestamibi uptake on SPECT scans. This finding, involving both gray and white matter, aids in clinical diagnosis of this parasitic disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cerebral sparganosis is an exceptionally rare parasitic infection affecting the brain.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes.

Observation:

  • This case report details the diagnostic utility of 99mTc-HMPAO cerebral perfusion SPECT in a patient with cerebral sparganosis.
  • SPECT imaging revealed an irregularly shaped region of markedly increased radiotracer uptake in the affected cerebral area.

Findings:

  • The increased uptake involved both gray and white matter, with a predilection for white matter involvement.
  • Evidence of decreased perfusion in the right cerebellum, indicative of cross-cerebellar diaschisis, was also observed.

Implications:

  • This study highlights cerebral sparganosis as a potential cause of increased 99mTc-HMPAO uptake on cerebral perfusion SPECT.
  • Clinicians should consider cerebral sparganosis in the differential diagnosis when encountering such imaging findings.

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