A Study on the Usefulness of Acetazolamide Activated 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

Cerebral vascular reserve capacity was evaluated by acetazolamide activated 99m Tc-HMPAO brain SPECT in 17 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Abnormal reactivity of the vascular reserve capacity correlated very well with the prognosis of these patients. This study would also help to make decision of the surgical timing for the ruptured aneurysm. In patients with normal response to acetazolamide activated vascular reactivity, vasodilatory drug such as calcium channel blocker is recommaned for the treatment of vasospasm. This study should be done as early as possible during the period of vasospasm to aid in the diagnosis, and in treating the vasospasm. Although this study has a minimal transient side effect of acetazolamide such as dizziness there was no major complication.