Learning objectives
To point the way how a radiologist can contribute to improving epilepsy patients prognosis dueto:
Performingthe optimum MRI protocolto achieve a thorough assessment
An accurate interpretation oftheMRI findings in diagnosis andmarking off the epileptogenic focus
Background
THE ROLE OF THE RADIOLOGIST
Epilepsy etiology is wide-ranged and must be assessed by radiological studies in order to plan a suitable treatment. Not all epilepsy etiologies respond to pharmacologic treatment so surgery could be required. Surgery success is directly related to removing the epileptogenic area.
Hence, the role of the radiologist is main in these patients: to perform an MRI protocol with which are obtained the required radiological findings and to properly interpret them looking forward toevaluatingpotential associations that might appearin other organs andprescribing...
Findings and procedure details
MRI IN MESIAL TEMPORAL SCLEROSIS (MTS) (Figs 1-4)
It is the most frequent etiology of a structural anomaly that causes resistance to treatment epilepsy. Hence,the hippocampal region must befocused in the MRI protocolwhen assessing epilepsy.
3DT1 images are optimal to identify the hippocampal volume loss/atrophy,main MRI finding in MTS and also to visualize enlargement of the choroidal fissure and of the ipsilateral temporal horn. Other findings in 3DT1 that are less common are the atrophy of ipsilateral fornix and mammillary body.
In T2WI images isshown...
Conclusion
Clinical features in epileptic seizures are non-specific so the radiological diagnosis is crucial to set the suitable treatment.
MRI findings might be subtle or very similar between the different diagnostic possibilities. Therefore, the radiologist must clearly understand the pathogeny in order to adequately interpret the image findings and reach a certain diagnosis.
Personal information and conflict of interest
J. M. Felices Farias;C. Serrano-Garcia; R. Sanchez-Jimenez; M. Tovar-Perez;I. Cases-Susarte; F. Barqueros-Escuer; D. San Leandro-Pardo; A. Gilabert-Ubeda
All authors at Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca Murcia/ES
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