Possible involvement of the tip of temporal lobe in Landau-Kleffner syndrome

Brain Dev. 2007 Sep;29(8):529-33. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2007.01.011. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a childhood disorder of unknown etiology characterized by an acquired aphasia and epilepsy. We have performed comprehensive neurofunctional studies on an 8-year-old girl with typical LKS, with the aim of identifying lesions that may be responsible for her condition. 18F-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission computed tomography (PET), 11C-Flumazenil (FMZ) PET, 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetoencephalography were performed before and after changes to the patient's medication led to a clinical improvement. Interictal SPECT showed hypoperfusion in the left frontal, left temporal, and left occipital lobes. 18F-FDG PET demonstrated a decrease in glucose metabolism medially in both temporal lobes and superiorly in the left temporal lobe. 11C-FMZ PET revealed a deficit in benzodiazepine receptor binding at the tip of the left temporal lobe. Magnetoencephalography demonstrated equivalent current dipoles located superiorly in the left temporal lobe. Our results suggest that the tip of the left temporal lobe plays an important role in the pathogenesis of LKS in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / pathology
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism*
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime