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[HMPAO-SPECT in cerebral seizures]
F Grünwald1, H Durwen, P Bülau
1Institut für klinische und experimentelle Nuklearmedizin, Universität Bonn, BRD.
Nuklearmedizin. Nuclear Medicine
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single-photon emission computed tomography (HMPAO-SPECT) can help diagnose epilepsy. This study found increased cerebral blood flow during epileptic seizures but not psychogenic seizures, aiding differential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Differentiating psychogenic seizures from epileptic seizures is clinically challenging.
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes may help distinguish seizure types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of Hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single-photon emission computed tomography (HMPAO-SPECT) in differentiating psychogenic seizures from epileptic seizures.
- To assess changes in rCBF during seizures using HMPAO-SPECT.
Main Methods:
- HMPAO-SPECT was performed in 12 patients (9 with suspected psychogenic seizures, 3 with proven epileptic seizures) before and during seizures.
- Regional cerebral blood flow was analyzed based on HMPAO uptake patterns.
Main Results:
- Patients with proven epilepsy showed markedly increased circumscribed rCBF during seizures.
- Patients with psychogenic seizures exhibited no or only slight changes in rCBF.
- Interictal findings in epilepsy patients were sometimes normal.
Conclusions:
- HMPAO-SPECT can identify increased rCBF during epileptic seizures, aiding in their diagnosis.
- HMPAO-SPECT offers a diagnostic advantage for seizures due to tracer injection during the event, unlike PET.
- This technique can help differentiate epileptic from psychogenic seizures.