Localization of extratemporal epileptic foci during ictal single photon emission computed tomography

Ann Neurol. 1992 Mar;31(3):250-5. doi: 10.1002/ana.410310304.

Abstract

We obtained single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans with technetium-99M-hexamethyl-propylene-amine-oxime in 11 patients during 12 extratemporal partial seizures (9 simple partial, 3 complex partial). Ten ictal SPECT studies in 9 patients showed a focal region of hyperperfusion, which agreed with electrical seizure onset in 5 and with clinical seizure localization in 4 in whom ictal electroencephalography was not localized. Contralateral cerebellar and ipsilateral basal ganglia hyperperfusion was seen in 3 patients with a frontal lobe seizure focus. Ictal hyperperfusion was well circumscribed, unlike the diffuse hyperperfusion changes reported during temporal lobe seizures. This observation may indicate a different degree of seizure spread in temporal as opposed to extratemporal epilepsy. Because electroencephalographic localization is often elusive in extratemporal seizures, ictal SPECT may be very helpful for the localization of extratemporal foci.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Basal Ganglia / blood supply
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Partial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / blood supply
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Oximes
  • Parietal Lobe / blood supply
  • Parietal Lobe / diagnostic imaging*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Substances

  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Oximes
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime