NeuroGam Software Analysis in Epilepsy Diagnosis Using (99m)Tc-ECD Brain Perfusion SPECT Imaging

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the value of NeuroGam software in diagnosis of epilepsy by (99)Tc(m)-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) brain imaging. MATERIAL/METHODS: NeuroGam was used to analyze 52 cases of clinically proven epilepsy by (99)Tc(m)-ECD brain imaging. The results were compared with EEG and MRI, and the positive rates and localization to epileptic foci were analyzed. RESULTS: NeuroGam analysis showed that 42 of 52 epilepsy cases were abnormal. (99)Tc(m)-ECD brain imaging revealed a positive rate of 80.8% (42/52), with 36 out of 42 patients (85.7%) clearly showing an abnormal area. Both were higher than that of brain perfusion SPECT, with a consistency of 64.5% (34/52) using these 2 methods. Decreased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was observed in frontal (18), temporal (20), and parietal lobes (2). Decreased rCBF was seen in frontal and temporal lobes in 4 out of 36 patients, and in temporal and parietal lobes of 2 out of 36 patients. NeuroGam further showed that the abnormal area was located in a different functional area of the brain. EEG abnormalities were detected in 29 out of 52 patients (55.8%) with 16 cases (55.2%) clearly showing an abnormal area. MRI abnormalities were detected in 17 out of 43 cases (39.5%), including 9 cases (52.9%) clearly showing an abnormal area. The consistency of NeuroGam software analysis, and EEG and MRI were 48.1% (25/52) and 34.9% (15/43), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NeuroGam software analysis offers a higher sensitivity in detecting epilepsy than EEG or MRI. It is a powerful tool in (99)Tc(m)-ECD brain imaging.