SPECT
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Single-photon emission computed tomography |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SPECT stands for Single-photon emission computed tomography, a medical imaging abbreviation.
Nuclear medicine technique in which rotating gamma cameras detect single photons from an injected tracer, typically technetium-99m, and reconstruct 3D images of organ function. Common uses include myocardial perfusion imaging, bone scans, brain perfusion and dopamine transporter imaging for parkinsonism.
Example: SPECT myocardial perfusion: reversible inferior defect, suggesting ischemia.
Usage notes
Often fused with CT (SPECT-CT) to localize findings and correct for tissue attenuation. SPECT tracers have longer half-lives than most PET tracers and are cheaper and more widely available, though resolution is lower. Pronounced "spect" as one word.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- PA – Posteroanterior
- PACS – Picture archiving and communication system
- PET – Positron emission tomography
- PET-CT – Positron emission tomography-computed tomography
- PI-RADS – Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System
- POCUS – Point-of-care ultrasound
- STIR – Short tau inversion recovery
- SUV – Standardized uptake value
- Tc-99m – Technetium-99m
- TVUS – Transvaginal ultrasound
- US – Ultrasound
- USG – Ultrasonography
See all 58 medical imaging abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.