The impact of DaTscan on the diagnosis and management of movement disorders: A retrospective study.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains a challenge in patients who have abnormal symptoms or show a lack of response to medication. The imaging technique, DaTscan, can be used to visualize dopamine degeneration in the nigro-striatum, which is associated with Parkinsonian Syndrome. We examined the use of the DaTscan in diagnosis, confidence in diagnosis, and clinical management. METHODS: Physicians of 125 patients were contacted to fill out a brief survey about changes in diagnosis, confidence of diagnosis, and clinical management after assessment with the DaTscan. RESULTS: There was an overall increase in confidence of diagnosis with the results of the DaTscan. Physicians also stated that the DaTscan impacted their diagnosis in 68% of the patients, as well as an impact in the clinical management of 58% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The DaTsan can be used as a tool to help diagnose Parkinsonian Syndrome in patients with unclear symptoms.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: Kimberly D Seifert, Jonathan I Wiener
Institution: Florida Atlantic University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1569184895