LEARN NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Neurology · Case 04
Read the history, inspect the study, then reveal the teaching.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER · Diagnostic study
Original study · Companion image placeholders
Clinical history
A 37-year-old man with a known history of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presents with recurrent headaches. Nuclear shuntogram was performed to evaluate the function of his shunt.
Read the images before opening the teaching panel below.
CSFoma
Imaging Findings
There is normal propagation of radiotracer from the ventricles, along the shunt, and into the abdomen. However, there is a lack of free spillage of the radiotracer into the abdomen with a collection of activity noted at the tip of the shunt.
Essential Facts
This study shows the normal propagation of the radiotracer from the head to the abdomen.
However, there is no free spillage into the abdomen. The collection of activity at the tip of the shunt is classic for a CSFoma.
References
“Central Nervous System.” Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging, by Fred A. Mettler and Milton J. Guiberteau, Elsevier Saunders, 2012, pp. 71–97.