title: Computed tomography in patients with recurrent seizures.
abstract: Eighty patients had Computed Tomography (CT) performed for evaluation of epileptic seizures. Abnormal scans were found in 37 of the 80 patients (46.3%). Focal CT abnormalities were seen in 26 of the 80 patients (32.5%). Tumors were present in four and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in three. Simple partial motor seizures were most strongly correlated with abnormal scans (five, 45.4%). Nineteen out of 21 patients with focal electro-encephalographic (EEG) abnormalities had focal CT abnormality compared to one out of 15 of those with generalised abnormality. 88.9% of patients with hemiplegia had abnormal scans. Whilst focal EEG abnormalities and abnormal neurologic signs pointed to a higher likelihood of CT abnormality, two subjects who were shown to have vascular malformations had normal EEG and neurologic exams. Routine CT scanning for evaluation of patients with recurrent seizures is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Tjia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed