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Brain scanning — Cerebral scintigraphy

An evaluation of the diagnostic value of scanning compared with other methods of investigation, based on results from 981 patients

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Summary

The results of scanning in 981 patients admitted to neurosurgical and neurological departments are reported.

Scanning was positive in 77% of the 501 patients with verified pathological intracranial lesions. The accuracy was greatest (over 90%) in malignant gliomas and meningiomas and lowest (53%) in benign gliomas. There was a high accuracy (81%) in lesions with supratentorial localisation, and a low accuracy (42%) in patients with lesions in the posterior fossa. On comparing the results of EEG and brain scanning it was found that there was a close correlation in 47%, doubtful correlation in a further 21%, while in 3% both investigations were negative. There was a close correlation between arteriography and scanning in 59%, and the accuracy of both these investigations in combination was 88%. There was close correlation between PEG and scanning in 39%, and a total accuracy for these investigations of 84%. In one-quarter of the patients investigated scanning could be considered to be the best method of investigation for the diagnosis of the extent and localisation of the pathological process.

Scanning is a very suitable investigation for the diagnosis of meningiomas, malignant gliomas, and to assess the multiplicity of metastases. Consecutive scanning can also be used as a means of checking the course of the pathological process in the brain tissue in patients with infarct and localized encephalitis.

It may be concluded that while the accuracy of scanning does not exceed that of other methods of investigation it provides a valuable supplement and increases the accuracy of diagnosis.

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The following have also cooperated in the accounts from the individual hospitals:F. Jensen, P. Juul-Jensen (A.M.H.);K. Christensen (G.H.);J. Husby, E. Langebœk, M. Petersen (O.C.M.H.);H. H. Jacobsen, S. Sølvsten Sørensen, W. Trojaborg (R.H.).

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Rasmussen, P., Buhl, J., Busch, H. et al. Brain scanning — Cerebral scintigraphy. Acta neurochir 23, 103–119 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401695

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