Cortical stimulation for language mapping in focal epilepsy: Correlations with tractography of the arcuate fasciculus

• Published in: Epilepsia (Copenhagen) Vol. 51; no. 4; pp. 639 - 646
• Main Authors: Diehl, Beate, Piao, Zhe, Tkach, Jean, Busch, Robyn M., LaPresto, Eric, Najm, Imad, Bingaman, Bill, Duncan, John, Lüders, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2010; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Arcuate fasciculus; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Mapping - methods; Diffusion tensor imaging; Diffusion Tensor Imaging - methods; Electrical stimulation; Electrodes, Implanted; Electroencephalography; Epilepsies, Partial - physiopathology; Focal epilepsy; Frontal Lobe - physiopathology; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Language; Language mapping; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Malformations of the nervous system; Medical sciences; Nerve Net - physiopathology; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Organ Size - physiology; Reference Values; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Temporal Lobe - physiopathology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Cartography; Nervous system diseases; Focal epilepsy; Language; Epilepsy; Tractography; Central nervous system disease; Arcuate fasciculus; Electrical stimulation; Language mapping; Cerebral disorder; Diffusion tensor imaging
• ISSN: 0013-9580; 1528-1167
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02421.x

Summary Purpose:  Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides information about magnitude (diffusivity) and directionality (fractional anisotropy, FA) of water diffusion and allows visualization of major white matter tracts. The arcuate fasciculus (AF) connects anterior (Broca’s) and posterior (Wernicke’s) language areas. We hypothesized that essential language areas identified by direct cortical stimulation would colocalize with areas revealing subcortical connectivity via the AF. Methods:  Fourteen patients with pharmacoresistant left hemispheric epilepsy and left hemisphere language dominance underwent invasive evaluations for localization of epileptogenicity and functional mapping. DTI and T1‐weighted volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were coregistered, and subdural grid electrodes identified on postimplantation computed tomography (CT) scans were also coregistered to the MRI scans. The AF was reconstructed from a region lateral to the corona radiata on the FA map. Colocalization, defined as <1 cm between the AF and the electrode positions delineating language cortex, was visually assessed with excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.98). Results:  A total of 71 subdural grid contacts were overlying language cortex. Nineteen contacts in eight patients were over Broca’s area, 16 of which (84.2%) colocalized with the AF. Fifty‐two contacts in 10 patients were over Wernicke’s area, with colocalization in 29 patients (55.8%). Colocalization was significantly greater in anterior regions than in posterior regions [χ2(1) = 4.850, p < 0.05]. Discussion:  The AF, as visualized with DTI, colocalized well with anterior language areas, but less so with posterior language areas, inferring that the latter are more spatially dispersed.