Sadeh M. Correlation of 99mTcDTPA SPECT of the blood–brain barrier with neurologic outcome after acute stroke. J Nucl Med 2003;44:1898–904

We conducted a study on humans to determine whether quan-titative evaluation of blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown using the 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) SPECT technique at the peak time of stroke evolution can predict neurologic outcome. Methods: Thirty consecutive pa-tients with acute stroke of the middle cerebral artery occurring 24 h and 48 h before admission were included in the study. Each patient underwent a complete neurologic examination according to the Scandinavian stroke score at 72 h after the stroke (S1) and again at 30 d (S2). The difference between initial and late scores was calculated ( S) and used to evaluate the change in neurologic status. A CT scan was obtained on all patients to determine the volume of stroke. The integrity of the BBB was evaluated using 99mTc-DTPA brain SPECT. A quanti-tative index of BBB disruption was defined as the ratio of th