RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Hole in the Head: An Artifact of Immediate Brain Imaging
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 145
OP 148
VO 6
IS 3
A1 Weiss, Sue
A1 Conway, James J.
YR 1978
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/6/3/145.abstract
AB An artifact occasionally found on posterior brain images, recorded in the supine posterior projection immediately following radionuclide angiography, is described. The artifact appears as an avascular area or areas just above the transverse sinuses, suggesting the possibility of a cystic lesion in the posterior aspect of the cerebrum. Since the initial observation, the artifact has been noted in many additional cases. The artifact was thought to be due to decreased perfusion in that portion of the scalp that presses against the camera collimator. This was proved during two studies of brain death in which there were documented absences of cerebral circulation. The “hole-in-the-head” phenomenon was pronounced, since the only circulation recorded was from external carotid perfusion of the scalp images recorded immediately after lifting the head several millimeters from the collimator resulted in disappearance of the artifact as circulation was restored to the compressed area of the scalp. The artifact is related to the patient as well as to technique and an awareness of this may prevent consternation in the interpretation of brain images.