Selective posterior cerebral artery amytal test for evaluating memory function before surgery for temporal lobe seizure

C. R. Jack, D. A. Nichols, F. W. Sharbrough, W. R. Marsh, R. C. Petersen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selective testing for memory function with Amytal (amobarbital) in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is a promising modification of that test in the internal carotid artery (ICA). This new technique, performed with a Tracker catheter system, was completed successfully in 17 of 20 patients being examined before planned surgery for refractory temporal lobe seizure. The PCA test overcomes three major problems with the ICA technique. First, with the PCA technique, memory testing is begun immediately after injection, when the drug has its peak effect. Second, when the speech-dominant hemisphere is being tested with the PCA test, patients do not become aphasic. Third, injection into the PCA delivers the drug more effectively to the target, the ipsilateral hippocampal formation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)787-793
Number of pages7
JournalRadiology
Volume168
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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