Current radiopharmaceuticals
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In recent years, the SPECT/CT hybrid modality has led to a rapid development of imaging techniques in nuclear medicine, opening new perspectives for imaging staff and patients as well. However, while, the clinical role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is well consolidated, the diffusion and the consequent value of single-photon emission tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) has yet to be weighed, Hence, there is a need for a careful analysis, comparing the "potential" benefits of the hybrid modality with the "established" ones of the standalone machine. The aim of this article is to analyze the impact of this hybrid tool on the diagnosis of diseases of the central nervous system, comparing strengths and weaknesses of both modalities through the use of SWOT analysis.
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Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). To improve the diagnosis of DLB, the latest diagnostic criteria incorporate findings from neuroimaging studies including sympathetic innervation imaging with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). According to these criteria a decreased MIBG myocardial uptake is an important finding supporting a clinical diagnosis of DLB. In this review the state of art and future perspectives of sympathetic innervation imaging by using MIBG in the diagnosis of DLB are discussed.