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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan lets your doctor analyze the function of your internal organs. A SPECT scan is a type of nuclear imaging test, which means it uses a radioactive substance and a special camera to create pictures of your organs.
While imaging tests such as X-rays can show what the structures inside your body look like, a SPECT scan produces 3-D images that show how your organs work. For instance, a SPECT scan can show how blood flows to your heart or what areas of your brain are more active or less active.
Why it's done
References
- Wernick MN, et al. Emission Tomography: The fundamentals of PET and SPECT. San Diego, Calif.: Elsevier; 2004:146.
- General nuclear medicine. RadiologyInfo. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.crm?PG=gennuclear. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Nuclear medicine. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/Nuclear_Medicine.aspx. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- What is nuclear medicine? Society of Nuclear Medicine. http://interactive.snm.org/index.cfm?PageID=1110&RPID=3106&FileID=5932. Accessed Jan. 12, 2009.
- Computer imaging/tomography. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4554. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Cancer imaging. National Cancer Institute. http://imaging.cancer.gov/imaginginformation/cancerimaging/page5. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
