The Relative Contributions of MRI, SPECT, and PET Imaging in Epilepsy

Summary: Functional and structural neuroimaging techniques are increasingly indispensable in the evaluation of epileptic patients for localization of the epileptic area as well as for understanding pathophysiology, propagation, and neurochemical correlates of chronic epilepsy. Although interictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of cerebral blood flow is only moderately sensitive, ictal SPECT markedly improves yield. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of interictal cerebral metabolism is more sensitive than measurement of blood flow in temporal lobe epilepsy. Furthermore, PET has greater spatial resolution and versatility in that multiple tracers can image various aspects of cerebral function. Interpretation of all types of functional imaging studies is difficult and requires knowledge of time of most recent seizure activity and structural correlates. Only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can image the structural changes associated with the underlying epileptic process, and quantitative evidence of hippocampal volume loss has been highly correlated with seizure onset in medial temporal structures. Improved resolution and interpretation have made quantitative MRI more sensitive in temporal lobe epilepsy, as judged by pathology. When judged by electroencephalography (EEG), ictal SPECT and interictal PET have the highest sensitivity and specificity for temporal lobe epilepsy; these neuroimaging techniques have lower sensitivity and higher specificity for extratemporal EEG abnormalities. Regardless of the presence of structural abnormalities, functional imaging by PET or SPECT provides complementary information. Ideally these techniques should be used and interpreted together to improve the localization and understanding of epileptic brain.     

Correlation of SPECT, EEG and CT in patients with epilepsy. A preliminary report

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed in 14 patients with epilepsy. Among 6 patients with GTC, five had no focal abnormalities in EEG and CT scan, SPECT also showed no changes of regional cerebral perfusion. In another one patient EEG was normal, CT scan showed hypodensity in right frontal area, SPECT showed decreased regional cerebral perfusion in right frontotemporal area. AVM in frontal lobe was found at operation. In 3 patients with complex partial seizures and 5 patients with complex partial seizures and GTC, SPECT showed regional cerebral perfusion coincided with the area of focal epileptic form discharges in EEG. In one patient with complex partial seizures and GTC EEG showed right antero-temporal focal sharp wave discharges, discrete calcification in superior suprasella cisterna on CT, SPECT showed decreased regional perfusion in right temporal area, pathological examination revealed hematoma in right temporal lobe. SPECT is useful for localizing epileptogenic foci in epileptics.     

Postictal switch in blood flow distribution and temporal lobe seizures.

The ictal increase of regional cerebral blood flow has yet to be fully utilised in the investigation of focal seizures. Although single photon emission tomography (SPECT) is being increasingly used in the localisation of epileptic foci, the evolution and time courses of the peri-ictal perfusion changes have yet to be clarified. We performed serial SPECT studies in the interictal, ictal and immediate postictal states in 12 patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy to define the patterns and duration of peri-ictal cerebral blood flow changes. Visual analysis showed a constant pattern of unilateral global increases in temporal lobe perfusion during seizures which suddenly switched to a pattern of relative mesial temporal (hippocampal) hyperperfusion and lateral temporal hypoperfusion in the immediate postictal period. Quantitative analysis confirmed the visual assessment. Lateral temporal cortex ictal/normal side to side ratios were increased by mean 35.1% (95% confidence interval 21.8% to 48.4%) more in the ictal studies than in the interictal studies and mesial temporal cortex ratios increased by mean 30.8% (22.4% to 39.2%). In the postictal state, however, lateral temporal ratios were reduced by mean 7.7% (-15.8% to 0.4%) compared with interictal values, whereas mesial temporal perfusion was maintained compared with the interictal studies. These observations provide critical information for interpreting scans which can be used in the localisation of epileptic foci. This postictal switch in blood flow patterns may reflect the underlying metabolic processes of neuronal activation and recovery and have implications for understanding the neurobiology of human epileptic seizures.     

The role of quantitative ictal SPECT analysis in the evaluation of nonepileptic seizures.

Nonepileptic seizures may represent difficult diagnostic problems. Identifying their presence and frequency is critical for determining appropriate treatment. The authors investigated the value of quantitative perfusion changes as measured by ictal single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) difference images in differentiating nonepileptic from epileptic seizures. Eleven patients with a clinical suspicion of nonepileptic events had ictal and interictal technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine SPECT scans during continuous audiovisual surface electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. The authors analyzed perfusion difference images based on registration, normalization, and subtraction of ictal and interictal SPECT images. The difference images were registered to each patient's magnetic resonance imaging scan to anatomically localize ictal perfusion changes. Three of 11 patients also carried the diagnosis of epilepsy and were taking antiepileptic medication. Five patients were taking antiepileptic drugs, but the diagnosis of epilepsy was not confirmed. In all patients, continuous video EEG monitoring revealed no ictal EEG findings. In nine of these patients, visual interpretation of ictal SPECT was suggestive of localized increased (n = 6) or decreased perfusion (n = 3). In all patients, however, no blood flow changes were noted on quantitative SPECT analysis with injections performed during the seizure-like event, suggesting the diagnosis of pseudoseizures. The authors' results suggest that quantitative ictal SPECT analysis is a useful tool in the diagnosis of nonepileptic seizures.     

单光子发射型计算机断层显像在颅内外动脉搭桥手术中的应用价值

目的 采用单光子发射型计算机断层显像（single photon emission computed tomography,SPECT）观察缺血性卒中患者颞浅动脉-大脑中动脉搭桥手术前后脑血流灌注变化,了解SPECT在颅内外动脉搭桥手术中的应用价值。方法 对12例缺血性卒中患者手术前后脑血流灌注显像结果进行对比分析,并分别比较手术前和手术后有无侧支代偿患者脑血流灌注显像。结果 12例患者额、颞叶病变侧与对侧相应区域放射性计数比值手术前后有统计学差异（P <0.05）,而顶、枕叶、基底节及丘脑手术前后无统计学异（P >0.05）。手术前或手术后有无侧支代偿患者上述各部位病变侧与对侧相应区域放射性计数比值无统计学差异（P >0.05）。结论 搭桥手术可改善脑循环代偿不足脑组织的血流灌注,以额、颞叶血流灌注改善明显。     

Usefulness of near-infrared spectroscopy for identification of epileptic foci in two localization-related epilepsy patients]

We monitored cerebral blood volume (CBV) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of two patients with symptomatic localization-related epilepsy who had no epileptic discharges in ictal scalp EEG. Case 1 was a 9-month-old boy who was suspected to have frontal lobe epilepsy. Although epileptic discharges were not identified on his ictal EEG due to motion artifacts, NIRS demonstrated an increase of CBV of the left brain during the seizure. Ictal single photon emission CT (SPECT) was dominant at the left side. Case 2 was a 3-year-old girl who was suspected to have temporal lobe epilepsy. Ictal EEG tracings, theta waves revealed prominent but did not enable identification of the focus. She had cortical dysplasia in the right cerebral hemisphere. NIRS monitoring demonstrated an increase in CBV in the right frontal region, which began 10 minutes before the seizure onset and lasted for 3 hours. Thus NIRS is a sensitive and non-invasive procedure for monitoring CBV changes during the seizure, and is useful in identification of the epileptic focus.     

Velocity-coded colour magnetic resonance angiography and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of extracranial-to-intracranial arterial bypass surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Velocity-coded colour magnetic resonance angiography (VCCMRA) and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) were evaluated as methods for investigating the efficacy of extracranial-to-intracranial arterial bypass (EC-IC bypass) by comparing the findings of VCCMRA and those of cerebral angiography and by measuring the improvement ratio after EC-IC bypass by pMRI compared to that by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using the autoradiographic technique. METHODS: Thirteen patients who underwent VCCMRA, angiography, SPECT, and pMRI before and after surgery were analyzed. Findings of VCCMRA were compared to those of angiography. Improvement ratio was calculated compared to the cerebellum for cerebral blood volume, mean transit time (MTT), and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as measured by pMRI and quantitative SPECT. RESULTS: Findings of VCCMRA were in good agreement with those of angiography and clearly showed the direction of bypass flow. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the improvement ratios in CBF in the hemisphere and middle cerebral artery territory on the surgical and non-surgical sides and in rCBF in the same regions of interest (ROIs) (r=-0.574, 0.09). However, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CVRC) in the hemisphere on the surgical side and in MTT in the same ROIs (r=0.955, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: VCCMRA may clearly show the direction of flow in the EC-IC bypass. MIT measured by pMRI may indicate the postoperative state of CVRC. These techniques could replace angiography and positron emission tomography or SPECT in patients undergoing EC-IC bypass.     

Dystonia, clinical lateralization, and regional blood flow changes in temporal lobe seizures.

We analyzed the lateralizing value of ictal dystonia and head-turning in temporal lobe epilepsy, and sought the biologic basis of these clinical signs by studying the regional changes in perfusion with ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We identified unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy in 40 of 42 patients undergoing evaluation for temporal lobe surgery, and with ictal SPECT all 40 showed striking hyperperfusion of the epileptogenic temporal lobe. Twenty-five of the 40 patients showed unilateral or predominantly unilateral upper limb dystonia, which was opposite the epileptic temporal lobe in all cases. Analysis of regional count ratios in cases with ictal dystonia, compared with those without, showed significant changes only in the basal ganglia. Specifically, we found that ictal dystonia was associated with a relative increase in perfusion of the basal ganglia opposite the dystonic limb. Although we found 26 cases with head-turning, the sign was of no lateralizing value, even when only those with major or "tonic" versions (n = 11) were analyzed. Slight increases in cortical blood flow on the side opposite the direction of version were associated with head-turning, irrespective of the side of seizure focus. In clinical practice, ictal SPECT is a highly accurate aid in the lateralization of temporal lobe foci, in addition to providing a new method to investigate the pathophysiology of clinical signs in focal seizures.     

症状性大脑中动脉狭窄率与组织灌注的相关性

目的 应用单一症状性M1段狭窄模型定量分析症状性大脑中动脉狭窄率与组织灌注的相关性.方法 从连续203例症状性颅内动脉狭窄选择性支架成形术患者中严格筛选所有单一M1段狭窄患者.所有患者均进行头颅CT、CT灌注(CTP)和DSA检查.根据CTP检查结果,测量两侧从前往后包括额叶、前分水岭、岛盖、颞叶、后分水岭和枕叶的各脑区CTP各参数.CTP参数包括平均通过时间(MTT)、脑血流量(CBF)和脑血容量(CBV).以健侧作为正常对照,计算患侧各脑区CTP参数相对值和判定患侧各脑区CTP各参数变化.根据DSA造影结果,肓法手工测量M1段狭窄率和判断侧支代偿动脉来源及侧支血流分级.对M1段狭窄率与患侧各脑区CTP各参数绝对值、相对值进行相关性分析.结果 20例患者入组,患侧M1段狭窄率平均为70.5%±10.6%(53%～91%).以对侧为对照,患侧额叶MTT正常,CBF正常,CBV升高;前分水岭MTT延长,CBF正常,CBV升高;岛盖MTT延长,CBF正常,CBV升高;颞叶MTT延长,CBF正常,CBV正常;后分水岭MTT延长,CBF下降,CBV正常;枕叶MTT正常,CBF正常,CBV正常.狭窄M1段供血相关脑区,从前往后各脑区血流灌注逐渐减低;而后分水岭是惟一处于血流失代偿期的脑区.所有患者DSA显示侧支代偿均主要来自大脑前动脉软脑膜支.M1段狭窄率与后分水岭区相对CBV正相关(r=0.66,P=0.002);与其余各脑区各CTP灌注参数均没有相关性.结论 症状性大脑中动脉狭窄患侧各脑区组织灌注水平受侧支代偿动脉的影响有明显空间分布效应;M1段狭窄率与血流失代偿期脑区相对CBV呈正相关,与血流代偿期脑区组织灌注没有相关性.

Abstract：

Objective To quantitatively analyze the correlation between stenosis ratio and cerebral perfusion in patients with solely symptomatic M1 stenosis of middle cerebral artery.Methods All the patients with solely symptomatic M1 stenosis of middle cerebral artery were selected to this study from consecutive 203 patients with elective stenting of symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.Brain CT, CT perfusion (CTP) and DSA examinations were performed in all cases.The CTP parameters of mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were measured in regions of interest (ROIs) including bilateral frontal lobe, anterior watershed, opercula of the insula (including parsopercluaris and part of insula), temporal lobe, posterior watershed and occipital lobe.Compared with the unaffected side as control, the change of CTP and their relative CTP parameters in these ROIs at affected side were analyzed.Based on DSA data, the ratio of M1 stenosis was measured manually and blindly, the source of collateral branch of compensative artery was estimated and the blood flow was graded.Correlation between the ratio of M1 stenosis and the CTP parameters including the absolute and the relative values was investigated.Results Twenty patients were selected into this study; their average M1 stenosis ration of the affected side was 70.5% ± 10.6% (53% to 91%).Compared with the unaffected side, MTT and CBF were no significant change but CBV increased in the affected frontal lobe; MTT prolonged, CBF was normal and CBV increased in the affected anterior watershed and opercula of the insula; MTT prolonged, CBF and CBV had no significant difference in the affected temporal lobe; MTT prolonged, CBF decreased and CBV had no significant difference in the affected posterior watershed; MTT, CBF and CBV were normal in occipital lobe.Tissue perfusion gradually decreased from the front to the backward in all the M1 stenosis affected cerebral regions and the posterior watershed area was the only region at hemodynamic failure stage.Leptomeningeal vessels of the anterior cerebral artery were the major sources of compensative arteries shown in the DSA in all cases.The ratio of M1 stenosis was positively correlated (r =0.66, P =0.002) with the rCBV in posterior watershed and there is no significant correlation between the ratio and any other CTP parameters in any regions.Conclusions Associated with distribution of collateral compensative artery,tissue perfusion showed obvious spatial distribution at different level in different cerebral region.M1 stenosis ratio is positively correlated with rCBV in hemodynamic failure regions, and there is no correlation with tissue perfusion in hemodynamic compromise regions.     

The use of SPECT and PET in routine clinical practice in epilepsy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to give a subjective review of the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in clinical practice in epilepsy for 2007. RECENT FINDINGS: Both ictal perfusion SPECT and interictal fluorodeoxyglucose PET can provide new information in the presurgical evaluation of intractable partial epilepsy. These functional imaging modalities reflect dynamic seizure-related changes in cerebral cellular functions. Although asymmetry of fluorodeoxyglucose PET metabolism has been useful to localize the epileptic temporal lobe, which tends to be more hypometabolic than the contralateral one, both frontal lobes are more hypometabolic than the epileptic temporal lobe, and may represent a region of 'surround inhibition'. Due to its low temporal resolution, ictal perfusion SPECT hyperperfusion patterns often contain both the ictal onset zone and propagation pathways. These patterns often have a multilobulated 'hourglass' appearance. The largest and most intense hyperperfusion cluster often represents ictal propagation, and does not always need to be resected in order to render a patient seizure free. SUMMARY: Optimized interictal FDG-PET and ictal perfusion SPECT as part of a multimodality imaging platform will be important tools to better understand the neurobiology of epilepsy and to better define the epileptogenic, ictal onset, functional deficit and surround inhibition zones in refractory partial epilepsy.     

A SPECT study of apathy in Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the association between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and apathy in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). METHODS: SPECT and MRI scans were obtained from 51 nondepressed outpatients meeting criteria for probable AD (age 77.6 +/- 6.6 years; MMSE 22.3 +/- 5.1; 23 apathetic, 28 nonapathetic) and 23 healthy elderly (75.6 +/- 3.8 years) controls. The following regions of interest (ROIs) were compared between apathetic and nonapathetic AD patients and then referenced against aged controls: anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal cortex, middle medial temporal cortex, hippocampus, medial superior temporal cortex, thalamus/hypothalamus and pons. RESULTS: Apathetic and nonapathetic patients had significant differences in rCBF. Relative to nonapathetic AD patients, apathetic AD patients had lower perfusion in 2 ROIs (right orbitofrontal cortex and left anterior cingulate) and higher perfusion in 5 ROIs (right and left hippocampi, left medial superior temporal gyrus, and right and left middle medial temporal cortex). Comparison of rCBF in these 7 ROIs to healthy elderly controls confirmed hypoperfusion in the left anterior cingulate and right orbitofrontal cortex and suggested a relative sparing of perfusion among apathetic AD patients in the remaining 5 ROIs. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of nondepressed patients with AD, apathetic subjects displayed significant perfusion differences compared to nonapathetic subjects.     

Temporal lobe seizure interhemispheric propagation time depends on nonepileptic cortical cerebral blood flow

In some patients with epilepsy, activation of eloquent cortex using various forms of environmental stimulation and mental activity may induce seizures. The increased neuronal activity resulting from cortical stimulation may be associated with increased regional cerebral blood flow. The vascular steal theory of temporal lobe epilepsy suggests that as nonepileptogenic cortical cerebral blood flow (CBFn) increases, temporal lobe epileptogenicity increases as a result, in part, of decreasing interhemispheric propagation time (IHPT). Recently, IHPT has been shown to be a quantitative electrocorticographic measure of temporal lobe epileptogenicity. In the current study, long-term combined subdural-EEG and surface cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) monitoring was performed to test the hypothesis that IHPT depends upon CBFn. The results show that IHPT is a nonlinear (negative exponential) function of nonepileptic cortical CBF (r=0.507, df=32, t=-2.204, P<0.05). In temporal lobe epilepsy, nonepileptic cortical hypoperfusion may represent a protective mechanism for delaying interhemispheric seizure propagation. The fact that IHPT decreases exponentially with increasing CBFn suggests that small increases in CBFn should substantially decrease IHPT and increase epileptogenicity. This study confirms that inter-hemispheric propagation time depends upon perfusion of nonepileptogenic cortex.     

Evaluation of functional changes in the medial temporal region during intracarotid amobarbital procedure by use of SPECT

PURPOSE: Because the main blood supply to the medial temporal region is through the posterior cerebral artery, the validity of the intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) is still debated. To verify clinical validity of the IAP, we investigated changes in neuronal function in the medial temporal region during IAP. METHODS: Brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed during IAP (IAP-SPECT) in 22 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the medial and lateral temporal regions of interest (ROIs) was measured quantitatively. To determine the distribution of sodium amobarbital, in another 20 patients with TLE, SPECT images were obtained after intracarotid injection of 99mTc-HMPAO mixed with sodium amobarbital. RESULTS: Mean rCBF was 89.2% in the medial temporal region and 81.6% in the lateral temporal region: in the former region, it was significantly lower than that shown by the results of interictal SPECT (99.1%; p < 0.001). In a few patients, however, rCBF did not decrease in the medial temporal region. In only 25% of patients, the medial temporal region was visualized in SPECT images obtained after intracarotid injection of 99mTc-HMPAO. CONCLUSIONS: The results in this study demonstrate that IAP is valid because the medial temporal region is inactivated in spite of infrequent delivery of sodium amobarbital. We assume that intratemporal diaschisis is operating for the inactivation of neuronal function. IAP-SPECT with intratemporal ROIs may be useful for monitoring changes in neuronal function in the medial temporal region during IAP.     

Noninvasive CBV Measurements During Epilepsy Using Multichannel NIRS

Purpose : Cerebral blood volume (CBV) was measured noninvasively during an epileptic seizure to localize the focus using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
Methods : In nine patients with intractable epilepsy (eight temporal and one parietal lobe), seizures were induced by bemegride. CBV was measured with an 8-channel NIRS (1 Hz). The ictal single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) also was evaluated.
Results : In all of the cases, CBV increased for 20–50 s on the same side as the focus within 2 s after the onset of seizures, compatible with the EEG and ictal SPECT findings.
Conclusions : NIRS is valid for the localization of the focus in epilepsy.     

Functional assessment of intracranial arachnoid cysts with TC99 m-HMPAO SPECT: a preliminary report

Background Many arachnoid cysts (AC) are detected incidentally in asymptomatic patients. Current neuroimaging methods provide only morphological details of the cysts, but they do not give information about cerebral function. While surgery is indicated in symptomatic patients, the management of asymptomatic individuals, who present with large cysts, is controversial.Study objective To ascertain the value of cerebral 99 mTc-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detecting brain dysfunction in cases of intracranial ACs, aimed at allocating the patients for surgical or for conservative treatment.Patients and methods We studied prospectively 11 patients diagnosed with sylvian fissure ACs. The subjects underwent neurological examination, EEG, neuroimaging studies, neuropsychological testing, and cerebral perfusion studies with 99 mTc-HMPAO SPECT.Results The patients’ ages ranged from 2 to 42 years (median 16 years). The study group consisted of ten symptomatic patients with ACs and one patient with an incidental cyst. Seven patients showed diminished regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in their initial cerebral SPECT. Four individuals underwent surgery. Seven patients showed normalization of rCBF after surgical or conservative treatment.Conclusions Cerebral SPECT demonstrated impaired brain perfusion in 70% of symptomatic patients. The zone of decreased rCBF corresponded well with clinical symptoms and with neuroimaging findings. Patients exhibiting normal rCBF in SPECT studies remained or became asymptomatic during the follow-up time. Cerebral SPECT constitutes a valuable adjunct tool for correlating regional function with brain anatomy, and may be of help to allocate patients with ACs for surgical treatment or clinical observation. Further research on this field is warranted.     

Prediction of cerebral hyperperfusion following carotid endarterectomy using intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging

ObjectivesOne of the risk factors for cerebral hyperperfusion following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a chronic reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure due to internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, which is clinically detected as increased cerebral blood volume (CBV). The perfusion fraction (f) is one of the intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters obtained using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that theoretically reflects CBV. The present study aimed to determine whether preoperative IVIM-f on MR imaging predicts development of cerebral hyperperfusion following CEA.Materials and MethodsSixty-eight patients with unilateral ICA stenosis (≥ 70%) underwent preoperative diffusion-weighted 3-T MR imaging, and IVIM-f maps were generated from these data. Quantitative brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed before and immediately after CEA. Regions-of-interest (ROIs) were automatically placed in the bilateral middle cerebral artery territories in all images using a three-dimensional stereotactic ROI template, and affected-to-contralateral ratios in the ROIs were calculated on IVIM-f maps.ResultsNine patients (13%) exhibited postoperative hyperperfusion (cerebral blood flow increases of ≥ 100% compared with preoperative values in the ROIs on brain perfusion SPECT). Only high IVIM-f ratios were significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative hyperperfusion (95% confidence interval, 253.8–6774.2; p = 0.0031) on logistic regression analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the IVIM-f ratio to predict the occurrence of postoperative hyperperfusion were 100%, 81%, 45%, and 100%, respectively.ConclusionsPreoperative IVIM-f on MR imaging can predict development of cerebral hyperperfusion following CEA.     

Association of ictal aphasia with hypoperfusion in language areas in temporal lobe epilepsy patients

Ictal clinical phenomenology, including aphasia, is usually associated with increased regional cerebral perfusion. We present an unusual pattern of ictal cerebral perfusion in three patients with pharmacoresistant, lesional temporal lobe epilepsy and ictal/postictal aphasia studied with prolonged video-EEG, ictal, and interictal SPECT and MRI for pre-surgical evaluation. Subtraction of ictal-interictal SPECT images co-registered with MRI (SISCOM) showed ictal hyperperfusion in the temporal epileptogenic area in all patients. In addition, hypoperfusion of Broca's area in one case, Wernicke's area in other patient, and both areas in the remaining one were observed. Ictal aphasia in these patients may be explained by functional inhibition of a primary language area, driven by the epileptogenic network. This pattern can contribute to understand the pathophysiology of some ictal signs, with an impact on the evaluation of individual surgical risks.     

Evolution and Localization of Postictal Blood Flow Changes in Partial Seizures Demonstrated by SPECT: Use of Quantitative Difference Images

Ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a sensitive means of seizure localization in partial epilepsy. The purpose of this study is to enhance the diagnostic yield of postictal SPECT for epilepsy and to overcome the difficulties in its conventional interpretation. We developed a method for coregistration, normalization, and subtraction of interictal from ictal SPECT to reveal positive difference images (and ictal from interictal to reveal negative difference images) of cerebral blood flow (CBF) during seizures. This method also allows quantification of regions of greatest percent increase and decrease, normalized to seizure duration. We studied 12 patients who had confirmed epileptogenic regions by surgery and pathology (seven temporal, five extratemporal). In all 12 patients, with either early (during ictus) or late injection (after seizure termination), the difference images showed increases or decreases respectively in blood flow consistent with the epileptogenic region. We highlight the localizing value of the negative difference change in perfusion (state of hypoperfusion) that persists for up to 100 seconds after seizure termination and corresponds to the epileptogenic region. Application of this technique for the quantification of perfusion changes during seizure or immediately after seizure cessation enhances the diagnostic yield of SPECT in both temporal and extratemporal epilepsy.     

Usefulness of Ictal and Interictal 99mTC Ethyl Cysteinate Dimer Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Patients with Refractory Partial Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Ictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), using HMPAO, has been shown to localize epileptic foci in ～90% of studies. Unfortunately, HMPAO decomposes rapidly, precluding the performance of ictal studies. Ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) is a SPECT perfusion agent recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. After preparation, this compound is stable for ～6 h. facilitating the performance of ictal studies. Methods: In a prospective, open-label, uncontrolled, non randomized study, we evaluated the potential benefits of the use of ^99mTc-ECD SPECT for lateralization of the epileptic focus. Ten consecutive adult epilepsy surgery candidates were studied with ictal and interictal ^99mTc-ECD SPECT. Results: The mean delay between seizure onset and ictal SPECT injection was 23.2 s. The mean seizure duration was 84.1 s. Ictal studies agreement between the epilepsy focus and area of hyperperfusion was evident in 8 of 10 cases. In one case, SPECT was lateralized in a patient with bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE); however, hyperperfusion was observed on the same side of that particular seizure. In another case, there was location disagreement. Interictal SPECT showed focal hypoperfusion in three cases. Conclusions: ^99mTc-ECD proved to be an optimal tracer for ictal studies. Although this is a small series, the results of ictal and interictal findings using 99mTc-ECD are similar to those reported with ^99mTc-HMPA0. Because ^99mTc-ECD has a longer decomposition time, true ictal studies are easier to obtain. This new tracer will probably allow the use of ictal SPECT to become widely accepted in most epilepsy centers.     

lnterictal Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Partial Epilepsy

The role of interictal brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was examined using (^99mTc)-labeled hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) in refractory partial epilepsy. The accuracy with which SPECT localized an epileptic focus and whether it predicted long-term postoperative seizure relief were assessed. Twenty patients were evaluated, 14 of whom ultimately had anterior temporal lobectomy with followup rangmg from 41 to 56 months. A single-headed gamma camera was used. The interictal SPECT showed ipsilateral temporal hypoperfusion in 8 (47%) of 17 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and showed either multilobar hypoperfusion or no perfusion defects in the rest. The sensitivity and specificity were similar in patients with a more complex clinical picture who required intracranial electrodes and those who did not. Presence or absence of temporal lobe hypoperfusion did not correlate with postoperative seizure relief. It is concluded that interictal SPECT with ^99mTcHMPAO with a single-headed gamma camera does not add useful information in preoperative localization or predicting postoperative seizure relief.