SPECT Scan

What is a SPECT Scan?

• SPECT scan stands for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography, it is an advanced nuclear imaging test that gives detailed, three-dimensional illustrations of the functional operations in the organs and tissues of the patient’s body. 

• Physiological activities like blood flow, metabolic activity, and functional abnormalities are some of the things that are shown by a SPECT scan whereas standard imaging tests simply give the structure and anatomy.

Why It’s Done - Common Uses

Your Doctor might recommend a SPECT scan based on the following reasons:

• Firstly, assess brain disorders: It can visualize blood flow and activity in the brain; thus, it can lead to diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions such as strokes, seizure disorders, vascular abnormalities, head trauma, degenerative neurological diseases, and movement disorders.

• Secondly, heart health: SPECT can help in the diagnosis of how well blood flows to your heart muscle and also find blocked coronary arteries, pumping efficiency, and areas of dead cells post-heart attack.

• Thirdly, identifying bones and skeleton problems: It can reveal broken bones, infections in the bone, bone inflammation, bone tumors, or the spread of the disease from other parts of the body to bones which sometimes come years before standard X-rays show the changes.

• Fourthly, checking organ function: One of the main areas where SPECT scan is used is in the liver, kidneys or bones evaluation where it can provide information vital for diagnosing metabolic or vascular problems.

What can you expect during the test

Radiotracer Injection 
A very small amount of a radiopharmaceutical, that is, a radioactive tracer, is injected through a vein into your arm. The only thing you might experience is a brief and slight cold feeling.                                                                                       

The injection of the tracer will necessitate that the substance be given time to spread and accumulate in the target area before imaging is conducted. This waiting period is usually about 20 minutes or more, but can sometimes be longer (up to a few hours) depending on the type of the study.

Scan Imaging
During the period when the special camera is rotating around you and taking photographs from different angles, you will be positioned on a table, flat. A computer will then compile all the pictures and create a 3D image that shows the distribution of the tracer and its activity.

Post-Scan
Your body will eliminate most of the tracer via urination in a few hours. In order to speed up this process, your intake of fluids will be encouraged.

Results Availability
A radiologist examines the pictures and prepares a report. Then, the doctor who referred you will discuss the results with you and will decide whether additional tests or treatments are necessary.

Safety & Preparation

• Almost No Risk: All most every patient can tolerate and have no safety concerns with SPECT scans. The radiotracer is given to the patients in a very small dose, and the long-term risk of having it is practically none.

• Very Rare Risks: Very rarely, there might be some bleeding, pain, or swelling where the injection was given. The most uncommon side effect would be allergic reactions to the tracer.

• Radiation: Due to the radiation level being very low in X-ray, pregnant and breastfeeding women are usually advised not to undergo SPECT scans. Always inform your physician if you are pregnant or have any doubts that you might be.

Preparation Tips:

• Remove metallic jewelry before the scan.

• Inform the staff about any medications or supplements you are taking.

• Follow any additional instructions given by your physician (e.g. fasting, medication adjustments), depending on the type of SPECT scan.

What is it that makes the Modern Diagnostic the most suitable choice for your SPECT scan?

Here are the benefits provided by MDRC:

• A Full Fledged Diagnostic Imaging center which has PET Scan, a state-of-the-art SPECT Machine, and a 3T MRI Machine for Diagnostics.

• Team of Experienced Radiologists and Nuclear Medicine Specialists who will take care of the imaging interpretation and reporting with utmost precision.

• Personalized patient treatment and support throughout the process — from making an appointment and preparing for the scan to follow-up after the scan.