Single-photon emission computed tomography in a patient with ictal metamorphopsia

Abstract

Metamorphopsia is a type of visual illusion, which has been reported as a rare ictal manifestation. The patient presented with a simple partial status epilepticus characterised by continuous facial metamorphopsia, intermittently accompanied by elementary visual hallucinations or other types of visual illusions. Subtraction single-photon emission computed tomography images showed an increased perfusion in the ventrolateral aspect of the right temporo-occipital junction (middle and inferior occipital, and inferior temporal gyri). The result suggests that the anatomical substrate involved in the generation of ictal facial metamorphopsia is located in the visual association areas at the right temporo-occipital junction.