The role of brain single photon emission computed tomography in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia
K. D. McDaniel, M. T. Wagner and B. S. Greenspan
Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY.
We present two cases of primary progressive aphasia studied with
neuropsychologic measures, computed tomography or magnetic resonance
imaging, and single-photon emission computed tomography with technetium
Tc99m-labeled hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime. Clinical and neuropsychologic
observations revealed a marked, progressive loss of language functions over
time with relative preservation of nonlanguage cognitive functions in both
patients. The brain single-photon emission computed tomographic scan
revealed marked left frontal and minimal left temporal and parietal
hypoperfusion in case 1 and marked left posterior frontal and minimal left
temporal hypoperfusion in case 2. The value of brain single-photon emission
computed tomography in distinguishing primary progressive aphasia from
Alzheimer's disease is described.
