Hello to our neighbors in Canada!!!
Phonomenal and groundbreaking news that had been spreading like wildfire there since May 2021 and then again in November 2021 – only to be met by disappointment and seemingly caught up in global financial politics and escaping what the focus should be: benefit of rehabilitation for the patients.
In a major development for brain injury survivors across Canada, the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM) adopted, ratified and endorsed Guidelines for Brain Perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
Essentially, what this means is that the SPECT scan is now medically recognized for the diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The SPECT test shows in much clearer detail the presence and extent of the brain injury (especially mild TBI), something that MRIs and CT scans cannot. See this article
Then the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released an important decision in Meade v. Hussein, 2021 ONSC 7850 regarding the use of single-photon emission computed tomography scans (“SPECT scans”). Justice Bale found that SPECT scans failed to meet the reliability foundation test for novel scientific evidence. See this article
This is of global interest and has the potential of benefiting millions of people affected with brain injury. It was noted that the the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM) unanimously adopted new procedure guidelines for brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging for psychiatry and neurology. The prestigious scientific body endorsed brain SPECT imaging for the assessment of many common issues affecting tens of millions of people. See this article
This is surely going to be a very hot topic where the medical community is finally catching up with technology and years of research. Sure to be on the forefront and not going away any time soon is the focus of getting our laws to also catch up with medical and technological discoveries.
This would also involve getting the Insurance industries on board to provide coverage for this diagnostic necessity and to provide better rehabilitative care to our survivors of brain injury and those suffering with mental illness.
Already we are seeing bucks in the system to discount and argue against science ( an ongoing and disturbing trend). See this article
Keep up with the developments with these organizations:
The Brain Association of America
Brain Injury Canada
Brain Injury Conference Canada
Ontario Brain Injury Association
Brain Injury Association United Kingdom
I can speak from personal experience about my SPECT experience. It was a game changer for me. It validated all of my symptoms. It helped me not feel crazy, but allowed me to know just what to focus on as part of my rehabilitation process.
Having “proof” for something you know is true, because you are living it, is an overwhelming relief and was a hugely emotional process for sure. I was determined to get answers, one way or the other. This process helped me to be able to then focus on what I needed to improve and work on, to let the healing commence, and be able to move on to acceptance in the grief and transformation process of re-inventing myself. The results of the SPECT allowed me to be able to talk about my injuries in a more educated and informed manner.
I honestly wish I had been able to access the services from day 1 of my injuries. It would no doubt improved and perhaps even shortened the rehabilitation process. I am a staunch supporter of the SPECT scan and am hoping that there are ongoing landmark and groundbreaking determinations that benefit the quality of life of all patients.
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