title: Evaluation of Hospitalized Intractable Epileptic Children with SPECT Scan in Ahvaz, South West of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seizures are the most frequent neurologic disorder seen in childhood. Epilepsy is a group of disorders that includes an abnormally increased susceptibility to seizures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) in detecting seizure foci in 21 Iranian children who had medically refractory epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children between 2 to 15 years of age with uncontrolled seizures were investigated using SPECT scan as a standardized protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 16 cases (76.2%), likely seizure foci were evident, as were seen in the form of decreased regional blood flow, while in 5 cases (23.8%), SPECT scan results were normal. Left temporal lobe was the most common area which had decreased regional blood flow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPECT scan can potentially be used to investigate children with uncontrolled seizures.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurologist, Department of Pediatrics, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran .
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Momen
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical sciences , Ahvaz, Iran .
authors.forename: Faramarz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Neonatologist, Department of Pediatrics, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran .
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malekian
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran and Clinical Research Development Unite, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran .
authors.forename: Hannaneh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Davoodzadeh
authors.affiliation: General Practitioner, Clinical Research Development Center, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran .
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kabirinia
keywords: 99mTc-ECD radionuclide; Electroencephalography; Seizure