Transient seizure activity demonstrated by Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging

Ann Nucl Med. 2001 Jun;15(3):267-70. doi: 10.1007/BF02987844.

Abstract

Cerebral perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been used to confirm the localization of the epileptic focus and the evaluation of seizure. Recently, diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) has been recognized for evaluation of seizure activity. We describe a case of transient seizure activity demonstrated by Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT and DWI. This patient was a 61-year-old woman with a 10-month history of right middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction who had a generalized seizure during MRI. DWI immediately after seizure showed transient hyperintensity in the right frontal gray matter and the white matter, and these apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were transiently decreased. This transient hyperintensity on DWI corresponded to transient hyperperfusion identifying the epileptic focus on interictal Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT. Transient sustained seizure activity might cause these changes on DWI and SPECT. It was considered that interictal Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT showed the delayed hyperperfusion caused by excitatory neuronal overaction and DWI showed cytotoxic edema seizure-induced by energy failure of the membrane-bound Na/K-ATPase pump.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / diagnosis
  • Paresis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Seizures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime