Automated quantification with BRASS reduces equivocal reporting of DaTSCAN (123I-FP-CIT) SPECT studies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

¹²³I-FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) SPECT studies of the nigrostriatal pathway are a valuable tool in the diagnosis of movement disorders. However some scans are reported as equivocal with potential adverse consequences. We investigated whether the use of quantification of tracer uptake within the striatum can be used to reduce the number of equivocal reports.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

BRASS software (Hermes, Sweden) was used to quantify striatal tracer uptake in DaTSCAN studies of patients referred to our institution. Scans were quantified and numerical limits were determined to distinguish between normal and abnormal scans. Scans were then re-reported both with, and without, the use of quantification. Number of equivocal reports and accuracy of reporting between the two types of reporting were compared.

RESULTS:

Scan reporting using quantification led to a significant reduction in the number of equivocal reports with no significant change in reporting accuracy.

CONCLUSION:

Automated quantification of DaTSCAN studies with BRASS and the use of numerical limits can decrease the number of equivocal reports without affecting report accuracy.

• Authors: Deborah Ruth Pencharz, Paul Hanlon, Riddhika Chakravartty, Shaunak Navalkissoor, Ann-Marie Quigley, Thomas Wagner, Thomas Wagner
• Journal: Nuclear medicine review. Central & Eastern Europe (Nucl Med Rev Cent East Eur) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 65-9 ( 2014) ISSN: 1644-4345 [Electronic] Poland
• PMID: 25088104 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tropanes
• 2-carbomethoxy-8-(3-fluoropropyl)-3-(4-iodophenyl)tropane

Topics

• Aged
• Automation
• Female
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted (methods)
• Male
• Movement Disorders (diagnostic imaging)
• Research Report
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Software
• Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon (methods)
• Tropanes