Experiences with 99mTc-HMPAO in a Diagnostic Pathway for Violent Patients with Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In a security ward we assessed the diagnostic contribution of single photon scintigraphy [SPECT] in our diagnostic pathway for patients with serious mental disease and a history of violence.

METHODS: Twenty patients were examined between 2012 and 2015 and the findings compared to those in nine patients with the same diagnosis, but no history of violence.

RESULTS: All violent patients had areas with reduced accumulation of 99mTc-HMPAO frontally and in the temporal lobe, in the non-violent group only two patients demonstrated these findings.

CONCLUSION: Traditionally, low accumulation of the tracer in SPECT is related to reduced perfusion of brain tissue. We discuss our findings in the light of other possible pathophysiological mechanisms.