SPECT scan

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

The most common uses of SPECT are to help diagnose or monitor brain disorders, heart problems and bone disorders.

Brain disorders
SPECT can be helpful in determining which parts of the brain are being affected by:

  • Dementia
  • Clogged blood vessels
  • Seizures
  • Encephalitis
  • Head injuries

Heart problems
Because the radioactive tracer highlights areas of blood flow, SPECT can check for:

  • Clogged coronary arteries. If the arteries that feed the heart muscle become narrowed or clogged, the portions of the heart muscle served by these arteries can become damaged or even die.
  • Reduced pumping efficiency. SPECT can show how completely each heartbeat empties blood from the lower chambers of your heart.

Bone disorders
Areas of bone healing or cancer progression usually light up on SPECT scans, so this type of test is being used more frequently to help diagnose hidden bone fractures. SPECT scans can also diagnose and track the progression of cancer that has spread to the bones.

Risks Definition
References
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MY00233 March 4, 2011

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