Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (Jul 2021)

Thai National Guideline for Nuclear Medicine Investigation in Epilepsy

  • Tawika Kaewchur,
  • Wichana Chamroonrat,
  • Tanyaluck Thientunyakit,
  • Benjapa Khiewvan,
  • Nantaporn Wongsurawat,
  • Chanisa Chotipanich,
  • Yotin Chinvarun,
  • Krishnapundha Bunyaratavej,
  • Sasithorn Amnuaywattakorn,
  • Nucharee Poon-iad,
  • Tanawat Sontrapornpol,
  • Panya Pasawang,
  • Supatporn Tepmongkol

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22038/aojnmb.2021.54567.1379
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 188 – 206

Abstract

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Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain, which is characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. These patients are generally treated with antiepileptic drugs. However, more than 30% of the patients become medically intractable and undergo a series of investigations to define candidates for epilepsy surgery. Nuclear Medicine studies using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals are among the investigations used for this purpose. Since available guidelines for the investigation of surgical candidates are not up-to-date, The Nuclear Medicine Society of Thailand, The Neurological Society of Thailand, The Royal College of Neurological Surgeons of Thailand, and The Thai Medical Physicist Society has collaborated to develop this Thai national guideline for Nuclear Medicine study in epilepsy. The guideline focuses on the use of brain perfusion SPECT and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET), the mainly used methods in day-to-day practice. This guideline aims for effective use of Nuclear Medicine investigations by referring physicians e.g. epileptologists and neurologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, nuclear medicine technologists and technicians.

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