Diagnostic Utility of [11C]DTBZ Positron Emission Tomography In Clinically Uncertain Parkinsonism: Experience of a Single Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: The use of single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography (PET) has proven to be helpful in differentiating Parkinson's disease (PD) from other movement disorders with a sensitivity of up to 95%. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of [11C]DTBZ PET imaging in patients with clinically uncertain parkinsonism from a tertiary referral center in Mexico City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent [11C]DTBZ PET brain scan due to clinically uncertain parkinsonism where divided into two groups: PD or non-PD. A scan was considered positive when visual assessment revealed a decrease in [11C]DTBZ uptake typical for PD; a scan was considered negative when visual assessment showed no decrease in [11C]DTBZ uptake or showed a decrease in tracer uptake in a non-PD pattern. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using a 2 × 2 table, with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were included in the study. 14 PET studies were deemed positive and 25 PET studies were deemed negative; 12 true positives and 23 true negatives were found. This yielded a sensitivity of 92.9% (95% CI, 66.1-99.8), specificity of 92% (95% CI, 74-99), PPV of 86.7% (95% CI, 63.1-96.1), and NPV of 95.8% (95% CI, 79.1-98.4). CONCLUSIONS: The [11C]DTBZ PET has an excellent accuracy for differentiating idiopathic PD from other disorders.