99mTc-ECD Brain SPECT for the Evaluation of Persistent Complaints After Mild Closed Head Injury

Abstract

Background. We evaluated the usefulness of 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detecting brain perfusion abnormalities in patients with persistent clinical complaints and normal computed tomography (CT) findings after mild closed head injury. Methods. We studied 81 patients (44 men and 37 women; age range: 21 to 76 yr) with a history of traumatic head injury (from 2 weeks to5years) using 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT. The major clinical complaints were headache, poor memory, insomnia, dizziness and vertigo. Brain CT scan was normal in all patients. None of the patients had previous CVA, psychiatric disorders or history of drug or alcohol abuse. Results. Brain perfusion abnormalities were detected in57 patients on 99m Tc-ECD brain SPECT. Twenty-four patients had normal 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT. Conclusions. 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT appears to be a very useful complement to CT for evaluating cerebral perfusion abnormalities in morphologically intact brain regions of patients with persistent neuropsychiatric complaints after mild closed head injury.