The usefulness of CBF brain SPECT in forensic medicine. A description of four cases

Maciej Piskunowicz; Piotr Lass; Maciej Krzyżanowski; Michał Studniarek

Vol 4, No 1 (2001)

Submitted: 2012-01-23

Published online: 2000-05-25

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The usefulness of CBF brain SPECT in forensic medicine. A description of four cases

Maciej Piskunowicz, Piotr Lass, Maciej Krzyżanowski, Michał Studniarek

Nucl. Med. Rev 2001;4(1):47-50.

Vol 4, No 1 (2001)

Submitted: 2012-01-23

Published online: 2000-05-25

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to show the applications of cerebral blood flow SPECT scanning in forensic medicine using four cases: two suspects and two victims of crime.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cerebral blood flow studies were performed with the use of ^99mTc-ECD and a triple head gammacamera. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed, utilising an asymmetry index for unilateral perfusion deficits and a comparison to cerebellar perfusion for assessing the regional cerebral perfusion. For assessing the normal values, a control group of 30 patients was studied.
RESULTS: In these cases CBF SPECT scanning proved its usefulness in medico-legal argument and played an important role in formulating the final forensic expert's opinion.
CONCLUSIONS: Radionuclide cerebral blood flow studies may play a role in forensic medicine, where this method it is mostly under-utilised at present.