Single-photon emission computed tomography is a nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays. It is very similar to conventional nuclear medicine planar imaging using a gamma camera, but is able to provide true 3D information.

What illnesses does a SPECT scan detect?

A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan is an imaging test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs. It may be used to help diagnose seizures, stroke, stress fractures, infections, and tumors in the spine.

Is SPECT better than MRI?

SPECT is superior at demonstrating TBI compared to CT and MRI scans. Overall, anatomic CT or MRI scans detect less than one-half of the numbers of lesions found in SPECT scans of symptomatic TBI patients. When processed with statistical parametric analysis, SPECT provides a powerful tool to aid in the diagnosis of TBI.