by Alicia Wanek
In the film Concussion, the character portrayed by Will Smith utilizes forensic pathology during autopsies to draw conclusions about brain injuries. This character is inspired by Dr. Bennet Omalu, who initiated his influential research in neuropathology in the early 2000s. Since then, notable advancements have been made in the radiological scanning technology available to physicians for diagnosing and tracking patient conditions. The DFW area is fortunate to have two Envision Imaging centers that provide these advanced scans.
Will Smith’s film Concussion highlights the risks associated with football and other high-impact sports. Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian immigrant and the first researcher to publish findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease. Above, Dr. Bennet Omalu is pictured with Will Smith at the Concussion premiere.
CereScan stands out as one of the nation’s premier providers of SPECT and PET/CT brain imaging. By employing specialized imaging technology and the highest quality image processing software, CereScan performs functional brain assessments aimed at uncovering the biological sources of brain disorders. The SPECT scans evaluate blood flow across up to 160 areas of the brain. A PET scan yields insights into the health of vital bodily functions, while a CT scan assesses anatomical structures. When these imaging results are analyzed together, doctors gain a thorough understanding of the brain’s functional and structural status. This combination of scans is useful in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression.
The Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) is an innovative MRI contrast technique that can reveal variations between brain tissues. It significantly enhances the ability to detect hemorrhages, microbleeding, iron deposits, and tumor characteristics, among other issues. This examination serves as a valuable enhancement to standard MRI scans when diagnosing concussions and various other medical conditions.
For additional information regarding these scans or any of their radiological examinations, please contact Envision Imaging at 866.722.4806.
