Ictal brain hemodynamics in the epileptic focus caused by a brain tumor using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we were able to observe, in detail, ictal brain hemodynamics during epileptic seizure caused by a b rain tumor. A 53-year-old man was experencing partial motor seizures of the left side o f his face and neck. In a brain MR image a mass lesion was found in the sub cortical area of the right frontal lobe. We found focal spikes in his right hemisphere, though dominantly in C4 and T4 regions, fMRI investigations we re carried out at 1.5 T (GE Signa Horizon) using gradient-echo echo-planar neuroimaging. We were able to perform the ictal examination twice. The activated regions were focalized and clearly found only on the lateral side of the tumor base . The region was in agreement with the epileptic focus examined using an el ectrocorticogram (ECOG). The signal intensity in the seizure focus rapidly increased 30 seconds before the convulsion was observed. After the end of t he convulsion it also took 30 seconds to restore the signal intensity to th e baseline value, fMRI is a very useful tool for various studies such as th e identification of the epileptic focus, the mechanism of epileptic seizure , and so on. (C) 2000 BEA Trading Ltd.