MRI-negative refractory partial epilepsy: Role for diffusion tensor imaging in high field MRI

• Published in: Epilepsy research Vol. 80; no. 1; pp. 83 - 89
• Main Authors: Chen, Qin, Lui, Su, Li, Chun-Xiao, Jiang, Li-Jun, Ou-Yang, Luo, Tang, He-Han, Shang, Hui-Fang, Huang, Xiao-Qi, Gong, Qi-Yong, Zhou, Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: 3 T; Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Mapping; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diffusion tensor imaging; Epilepsies, Partial - pathology; Female; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; High field MRI; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; MRI negative; Nervous system; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Refractory partial epilepsy; Refractory partial epilepsy; MRI negative; 3 T; Diffusion tensor imaging; High field MRI; 3T; Nervous system diseases; Epilepsy; Diffusion imaging; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Cerebral disorder; Refractory; Diffusion tensor; Central nervous system disease; High field
• ISSN: 0920-1211; 1872-6844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.03.009

Summary Objective Our aim is to use the high field MR scanner (3 T) to verify whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could help in locating the epileptogenic zone in patients with MRI-negative refractory partial epilepsy. Method Fifteen patients with refractory partial epilepsy who had normal conventional MRI, and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. DTI was performed on a 3 T MR scanner, individual maps of mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated, and Voxel-Based Analysis (VBA) was performed for individual comparison between patients and controls. Result Voxel-based analysis revealed significant MD increase in variant regions in 13 patients. The electroclinical seizure localization was concurred to seven patients. No patient exhibited regions of significant decreased MD. Regions of significant reduced FA were observed in five patients, with two of these concurring with electroclinical seizure localization. Two patients had regions of significant increase in FA, which were distinct from electroclinical seizure localization. Conclusion Our study's results revealed that DTI is a responsive neuroradiologic technique that provides information about the epileptogenic areas in patients with MRI-negative refractory partial epilepsy. This technique may also helpful in pre-surgical evaluation.