| Autor: |
Arjona M; Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Toldo JMP; Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Queiroz NC; Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Pedroso JL; Ataxias Ambulatory, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Neto GCC; Ataxias Ambulatory, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Barsottini OGP; Ataxias Ambulatory, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Felicio AC; Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
BACKGROUND Studies on the routine clinical use of dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging have largely been conducted in Europe and the United States. In this real-world study, we investigated the use of cerebral 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT imaging of DAT in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 119 patients with suspected PD or clinically unclear parkinsonism who underwent brain scintigraphy with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 during a 3-year period. Additionally, a brief interview was conducted with the physician who requested the scan to determine the usefulness of the method in clinical decision-making. RESULTS Regarding the scan requests, most were intended to evaluate or confirm dopaminergic denervation (69%), distinguish PD from essential tremor (10%), or distinguish degenerative parkinsonism from drug-induced parkinsonism (6%). Data analysis showed that scintigraphy with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was useful in 85% of cases, changing the management of 75% of the patients who underwent a scan. The majority of physicians who requested the scan were neurologists, and 54% were self-reported movement disorder specialists. An inappropriate use of DAT imaging was seen in 5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that brain scintigraphy with the DAT ligand 99mTc-TRODAT-1 may influence diagnostic or therapeutic interventions, meaning that Brazilian physicians who requested the exam have taken in vivo DAT results into account at the time of clinical decision-making. |
