TECHNETIUM-99M-HMPAO SPECT IN PATIENTS WITH HEMICONVULSIONS FOLLOWED BY TODDS-PARALYSIS

We performed technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene- amineoxime (Tc-HMPAO) single photon emission computed tomography in two patients with prolo nged hemiconvulsions followed by transient hemiparesis (Todd's paralys is), In both cases, a prolonged post-ictal cerebral hyperperfusion sta te of approximately 24 h was observed, even after the neurological def icits had resolved, The cerebral hyperperfusion in both cases was of m uch longer duration than that in previously reported cases of single a nd uncomplicated focal seizures. The prolonged cerebral hyperperfusion might have been due to impairment of the cerebrovascular autoregulati on in seizures followed by Todd's paralysis.