Conventional and molecular imaging in sickle cell disease

Conclusions: Central nervous system: About 25% of SCD patients are affected by vascular involvement of central nervous system. CT scan has been used to detect cerebral infarction. Subclinical cranial MRI lesions yield important predictive values as a risk factor of stroke, even when detected in asymptomatic patients. SPECT is a useful technique for early detection of deficits in cerebral perfusion in patients with SCD. Decreases in cerebral perfusions may lead to silent infarction, stroke, or neurocognitive diseases. PET may improve sensitivity in detection of impaired metabolism in the area surrounding a major vessel infarct. A study on brain regional alternations with FDG-PET imaging compared SCD patients without prior neurologic abnormalities (and with normal brain CT scans) with healthy controls and showed frontal lobe involvement in SCD patients. Acute chest syndrome (ACS): ACS is the most important cause of death in adult patients with SCD. Chest imaging has an established role in its management. The bedside chest radiograph has > 85% sensitivity and < 60% specificity in ACS diagnosis. Lung CT has an important role in the initial evaluation of ACS in SCD and it is mostly presented as consolidation. Patients with ACS have higher FDG uptake of the lungs compared to non-ACS SCD controls. Moreover, lung apices had lower FDG uptake than lung bases. Patients with higher lung FDG uptake tended to have a longer length of stay in the ICU. Musculoskeletal system: Musculoske...
Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine - Category: Nuclear Medicine Authors: Tags: General Clinical Specialties Source Type: research