EPILEPTIC SEIZURES AFTER THROMBOEMBOLIC CEREBRAL INFARCTS - A POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHIC STUDY

In the present positron emission tomographic (PET) study regional blood flow and oxygen metabolism were compared in the infarcted and remote brain areas of two comparable groups of patients with a thromboembolic infarct in the territory of the middle cerebral artery. One group of patients had developed postinfarction seizures, PET scan showed a more decreased regional blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen consumption (rCMRO(2)) in the infarcted zone of the group with seizures compared to the nonepileptic stroke group. rCBF and rCMRO(2) were more decreased in the infarcted area of patients with repeated seizures than in those with a single insult. Also regional oxygen extraction rate was more increased in the former group. These findings indicate that postapoplectic seizures are associated with more severe brain ischemia.