Comparison of SPET brain perfusion and 18F-FDG brain metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a clinically defined condition of uncertain aetiology. We compared 99 Tc m -HMPAO single photon emission tomography (SPET) brain perfusion with dual-head 18 F-FDG brain metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Eighteen patients (14 females, 4 males), who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the Centers for Disease Control for chronic fatigue syndrome, were investigated. Thirteen patients had abnormal SPET brain perfusion scans and five had normal scans. Fifteen patients had normal glucose brain metabolism scans and three had abnormal scans. We conclude that, in chronic fatigue syndrome patients, there is discordance between SPET brain perfusion and 18 F-FDG brain uptake. It is possible to have brain perfusion abnormalities without corresponding changes in glucose uptake.