Ictal SPECT in nonlesional extratemporal epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
Ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may be a reliable indicator of the ictal onset zone in patients with intractable partial epilepsy who are being considered for epilepsy surgery. The rationale for the illustrated case report is to evaluate the use of an innovation in SPECT imaging in a patient with nonlesional extratemporal epilepsy.


METHODS
We investigated the presurgical evaluation and operative outcome in a patient with intractable partial epilepsy. The ictal semiology indicated a "hypermotor" seizure with bipedal automatism. The electroclinical correlation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not suggest the appropriate localization of the epileptogenic zone. A subtraction periictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) was peformed.


RESULTS
SISCOM revealed a region of localized hyperperfusion in the right supplementary sensorimotor area. Chronic intracranial EEG monitoring confirmed the relationship between the localized SISCOM alteration and the ictal onset zone. The patient was rendered seizure free after surgical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
SISCOM may be used to identify potential candidates for surgical treatment of nonlesional extratemporal epilepsy. Periictal imaging may also alter the strategy for intracranial EEG recordings and focal cortical resection.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. gcascino@mayo.edu
Gregory D
GD
Cascino
Jeffrey R
JR
Buchhalter
Brian P
BP
Mullan
Elson L
EL
So
D000293:Adolescent; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome