Focal epileptic activity following intravenous contrast material injection in patients with metastatic brain disease.

Four patients with metastatic brain disease were referred for computed tomographic (CT) examination with contrast material injection. Within 2 to 4 minutes after the intravenous administration of water soluble contrast agent, focal epileptic activity occurred. The seizures became generalised in two of the patients who later died following status epilepticus. In the other two patients the focal seizures correlated with the localisation of the metastatic mass lesions. None of the patients had a previous history of epilepsy.