DaTSCAN
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Question 1
Is the scan normal or abnormal?
Answer
Abnormal. There is reduced tracer binding in the right corpus striatum but the pattern isn't entirely typical for PD; the reduction has affected the caudate nucleus more the putamen. The patient had a CT brain scan which revealed small infarcts in the right head of caudate nucleus and in the internal capsule. This vascular disease is much more likely to be responsible for the abnormality on DaTSCAN and the patient's symptoms than PD.
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The text is entirely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect that of RUH NHS Trust or the Bristol Radiology Training Scheme. Website content devised by Paul McCoubrie.