In cases of mild brain damage, conventional anatomical imaging modalities may or may not detect the cascade of metabolic changes that have occurred at the intracellular level.  Nuclear medicine imaging can be used to characterize brain damage, as it provides direct visualization of brain function, even in the absence of overt behavioral manifestations or anatomical findings. We report the case of a 40-year-old Hispanic male veteran, with multiple combat and non-combat TBI(s), who developed cognitive and neuropsychological symptoms, in the setting of negative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This case provides evidence in the utility of perfusion SPECT/CT for diagnosis and follow up of patient with mild TBI in the setting of negative structural imaging.

The utility of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) in mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): Case Report