• D Soares, M Reid, and A Fenna.
• Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (Section of Radiology), University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. dpsoares@cwjamaica.com
• W Indian Med J. 2001 Jun 1; 50 (2): 151-4.

AbstractA retrospective evaluation of the Computed Tomography (CT) findings in three hundred and forty-four patients with seizures, presenting over a one-year period, was carried out to determine the value of this examination in the assessment of these patients. Eighty-four per cent of patients had non-contrast studies only. Of the remaining patients, two had contrast studies only and the rest had both non-contrast and contrast studies. All cerebral abnormalities detected on contrast studies were evident on non-contrast scans. Forty-two per cent of all patients presenting with seizures were found to have a demonstrable abnormality on CT. There was a greater detection rate in patients with seizures secondary to trauma, cerebrovascular incidents, infection, metabolic causes and suspected tumours. Computed tomography continues to have a place in the evaluation of certain types of seizure patients. The routine use of intravenous contrast does not appear to be justifiable.

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