Positive brain scans in children with idiopathic focal epileptic seizures

Between 1968 and 1970 106 children presenting with seizures without other evidence of progressive neurologic disease were subject to brain scans. None of the 54 patients with generalized seizures had a positive scan, while in six of the 52 with focal seizures the scan showed increased uptake of radioisotope in the appropriate hemisphere, though usually not in the rolandic area. Four of these six patients had a benign course, with reversion of the scans to normal after cessation of seizure activity. All four presented with repeated focal seizures and in each the initial scan was obtained within 72 hours of the last seizure. The mechanisms that might result in an increased uptake of radioisotope in these patients are discussed.