Evaluation of Hospitalized Intractable Epileptic Children with SPECT Scan in Ahvaz, South West of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Seizures are the most frequent neurologic disorder seen in childhood. Epilepsy is a group of disorders that includes an abnormally increased susceptibility to seizures.

AIM: To examine the effectiveness of SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) in detecting seizure foci in 21 Iranian children who had medically refractory epilepsy.

MATERIALS AND 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.

CONCLUSION: SPECT scan can potentially be used to investigate children with uncontrolled seizures.