Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the adherence of a UK National Health Service (NHS) Parkinson’s disease service to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the use of DaT scans. Specifically current NICE guidance only recommends use to distinguish essential tremor from PD.

Background: The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is primarily clinical. However, DaT (dopamine transporter) scanning can help clinicians provide an accurate diagnosis in cases of uncertainty.

Methods: DaT scan referrals to the service from 2014 to 2017 inclusive were reviewed to determine the reasoning behind referral. Age and sex of the patient, the reasoning for scan, and results were collected.

Results: Of 204 patients referred, 20 did not attend or have sufficient data on file, so data were collected from 184 patients (99 male, 85 female). Only 41% of scans were used to distinguish essential tremor from PD, with 21% used to confirm diagnosis of PD. Of the referrals for confirmation of PD, 68% were positive. However, of scans for presumed essential tremor 73% were negative.

Conclusions: Only 41% of DaT scans adhered to NICE guidelines. NICE scanning guidelines should be considered for revision, as current recommendations are based on 2006 guidance documents, and do not reflect usage of scanning in current practice.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-use-of-dat-spect-scanning-in-the-differential-diagnosis-of-parkinsonism-are-guidelines-being-followed/