Which major medical centers are doing SPECT Scans across the United States?

Emily needs a SPECT scan to evaluate what is going on in her brain. The SPECT scan will give needed images and information on blood flow patterns and help solve the question. We are evaluating brain injury vs brain tumor and trying to figure out which one is affecting her sight so dramatically. We need to determine what to do, and the Amen Clinic is our best resource. None of the insurances involved are willing to pay for this, and we are in limbo if we don't do something. Emily is a bright 15 year old girl who just wants to finish high school, with the ability to see properly to do her studies.

For brains, the pioneer in SPECT scans is definitely the Amen Clinic, started by Daniel Amen, MD.

Some other cutting edge medical centers across the United States who are doing SPECT scans of the brain and more information below:

Mayo Clinic has an article on SPECT scans of the brain, up in Rochester, MN.

Johns Hopkins Brain Injury Clinic uses SPECT scans, but you must be over 18 to see them. Emily is almost 16. We may try to get her into Johns Hopkins at the same time we are up in that general area. Article on problems after traumatic brain injury.

Yale Brain Tumor Center uses SPECT imaging in treatment of brain tumors.

UC Irvine uses the SPECT scan to look at brain tumors and notes the following:

Other brain scans. Other tests, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), functional MR scanning, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, help doctors gauge brain activity by studying brain metabolism and chemistry and blood flow within your brain. These scans can be combined with standard MR images to help doctors understand the effects of a tumor on brain activity and function, help surgeons determine if a tumor can safely be removed and help guide surgeons at surgery. However, doctors don't typically use them to make an initial diagnosis of brain tumor.

Great article from Children's Hospital Boston about Brain SPECT imaging. The information below is from their website.

What is a brain SPECT?

A brain SPECT is a diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging exam that uses a radioactive substance to visualize brain function. This imaging technique is sensitive and can detect changes in brain blood flow associated with seeing, hearing and thinking. Pictures of your child's brain are obtained after a radiopharmaceutical is injected into your child's veins. A common radiopharmaceutical used for brain SPECT is technetium-99m. Once the radiopharmaceutical is injected, it rapidly travels through the bloodstream and into your child's brain. A special camera, called a SPECT camera or gamma camera, is used to take pictures of the brain.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is using SPECT scan for various brain issues, including Alzheimer's. High speed SPECT imagery is also being used in cardiology at Cedars-Sinai