The early diagnostic value of oral acetazolamide load combined with SPECT rCBF imaging in patients with transient ischemia attack in brain

Objective In order to assess the diagnostic value of acetazolamide (ACZ) combined with rCBF SPECT imaging in patients with transient ischemia attack (TIA). Methods SPECT imaging was performed before and after oral ACZ with visual and semiquantitative analysis of the images. Blood gas analysis was done before and after ACZ administration either. Results After ACZ loading,in normal group, 99 Tc m ECD was distributed symmetrically on correspondent parts of the brain and rCBF was generally increased .The blood pH was decreased and blood PCO 2 was increased, respectively in TIA group,the positive rate of hypoperfusion foci on SPECT images were increased from 5/6 to 6/6 in symptomatic patients and from 60% to 92% in asymptomatic patients. The total positive rate was 93%. Conclusion Oral ACZ before SPECT imaging is a simple,reliable way for early diagnosis in patients with TIA.