The practical utility of performing peri-ictal SPECT in the evaluation of children with partial epilepsy

Pediatr Neurol. 1998 Jul;19(1):15-22. doi: 10.1016/s0887-8994(98)00019-8.

Abstract

Peri-ictal brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is increasingly being established as a useful test in localizing partial epilepsy in adults. However, obtaining an ictal injection and acquiring the SPECT images poses a greater challenge in pediatric patients, and few reports have specifically addressed the practical use of this technique in children. The Mayo Clinic experience of peri-ictal SPECT in the evaluation of children with partial epilepsy is reported here. Peri-ictal SPECT was attempted during 71 admissions involving 59 patients (median age 12 years, range 1 year 6 months-17 years). A peri-ictal SPECT injection was performed on 48 (67.6%) of these admissions in 43 (72.9%) patients, and only two patients could not be scanned. Of the 46 peri-ictal images successfully obtained, 30 (65.2%) were from ictal injection and 16 (34.8%) from post-ictal injections. Forty-two (91.3%) of the successfully obtained SPECT images, in 38 patients (92.3%), were classified as localizing (15 temporal, 24 extratemporal). We conclude that, with the appropriate unit setup and well-trained staff, peri-ictal SPECT scans can be obtained in most pediatric partial epilepsy patients. Moreover, the procedure provides specific localizing information in a high proportion of these patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
  • Epilepsies, Partial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*