J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2000 Nov;18(6):774-778.

Contralateral Hyperperfusion on Single Photon Emission ComputedTomograhy (SPECT) in the Patient with Todd's Paralysis

• Yang YS
• Kim JG
• Kim BC
• Kim MK
• Cho KH
• Song HC

Abstract

It has been known that the usual findings of SPECT in patients with Todd's paralysis is the hypoperfusion of the corresponding hemisphere. We experienced a patient who developed transient hemiparesis after a seizure attack with hyperperfusion rather than hypoperfusion over the corresponding hemisphere on brain SPECT. A 36-year-old female presented with left hemiparesis after a secondarily generalized tonic seizure. No additional seizure-like attack was noted during admission. EEG showed intermittent focal slow waves over the right frontotemporal area on admission and returned to a normal pattern 72 hours after admission. Tc-99m ECD SPECT showed hyperperfusion on the right frontoparietal area in spite of the normalization of EEG. The degree of hyperperfusion was diminished as time passed for at least 72 hours. We report a patient who had Todd's paralysis associated with contralateral frontoparietal hyperperfusion. Todd's paralysis may be explained as the result of focal discharges that lead to local vasomotor changes.

Keyword

Todd's paralysis; Brain SPECT; Hyperperfusion

MeSH Terms

Adult
Brain
Electroencephalography
Female
Humans
Paralysis*
Paresis
Seizures
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon