title: Single-photon emission computed tomography investigations of alternating hemiplegia of childhood.
abstract: Alterations in regional cerebral blood-flow, as determined by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using technetium [99mTc] hexamethyl propylenamine oxime, were studied in two children presenting with alternating hemiplegia of childhood. Both experienced hemiplegic episodes several times per month, despite marked improvement on flunarizine therapy. SPECT images of both patients revealed focal areas of decreased uptake of the radiotracer, representing impaired regional cerebral blood-flow during, as well as between, seizures. The interictal finding of localized areas of reduced tracer uptake suggest that long-lasting hypoperfusion could be the pathophysiological mechanism by which the slowly resolving hemiplegia, and ultimately the permanent multifocal neurological deficits, are produced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Rittberg-Klinik, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Siemes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cordes
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D005444:Flunarizine