"a special attention" is correct and usable in written English. You could use it when referring to someone or something that deserves extra care or consideration. For example: "The teacher gave the struggling student a special attention to help her excel in her studies.".
A special attention, a special searching, may be necessary to reinforce a relatively weak physiological faculty.
Molecular clusters or periodic systems require a special attention.
A special attention is given to binary system phase behavior.
A special attention was focused on the perpetual screw technique.
A special attention was paid to examining effects of various solvents on the conformer generation.
A special attention is paid also to the multilinear commutator of this operator with BMO function.
However, a special attention should be put on hemodynamic instability, tracheostomy or umbilical venous catheter.
Ludwig does not simply clarify my doubts with English writing, it enlightens my writing with new possibilities
Simone Ivan Conte
Software Engineer at Adobe, UK