Ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging in human epilepsy: A systematic review

• Published in: NeuroImage clinical Vol. 30; p. 102602
• Main Authors: van Lanen, R.H.G.J., Colon, A.J., Wiggins, C.J., Hoeberigs, M.C., Hoogland, G., Roebroeck, A., Ivanov, D., Poser, B.A., Rouhl, R.P.W., Hofman, P.A.M., Jansen, J.F.A., Backes, W., Rijkers, K., Schijns, O.E.M.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.01.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Epilepsy; Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI; Review; Ultra-high field; Ultra-high field; Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI; 7T; Epilepsy
• ISSN: 2213-1582; 2213-1582
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102602

•This review discusses 16 studies using 7T MRI to evaluate patients with chronic focal epilepsy.•UHF MRI increases the sensitivity to detect an epileptogenic lesion.•Diagnostic gain of 7T over conventional MRI was between 8 and 67%, pooled gain was 31%•FCD, gliosis and HS were the most frequently diagnosed histopathological lesions.•No conclusion can be drawn whether 7T improves surgical treatment and seizure outcome. Resective epilepsy surgery is an evidence-based curative treatment option for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The major preoperative predictor of a good surgical outcome is detection of an epileptogenic lesion by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Application of ultra-high field (UHF) MRI, i.e. field strengths ≥ 7 Tesla (T), may increase the sensitivity to detect such a lesion. A keyword search strategy was submitted to Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database and clinicaltrials.gov to select studies on UHF MRI in patients with epilepsy. Follow-up study selection and data extraction were performed following PRISMA guidelines. We focused on I) diagnostic gain of UHF- over conventional MRI, II) concordance of MRI-detected lesion, seizure onset zone and surgical decision-making, and III) postoperative histopathological diagnosis and seizure outcome. Sixteen observational cohort studies, all using 7T MRI were included. Diagnostic gain of 7T over conventional MRI ranged from 8% to 67%, with a pooled gain of 31%. Novel techniques to visualize pathological processes in epilepsy and lesion detection are discussed. Seizure freedom was achieved in 73% of operated patients; no seizure outcome comparison was made between 7T MRI positive, 7T negative and 3T positive patients. 7T could influence surgical decision-making, with high concordance of lesion and seizure onset zone. Focal cortical dysplasia (54%), hippocampal sclerosis (12%) and gliosis (8.1%) were the most frequently diagnosed histopathological entities. UHF MRI increases, yet variably, the sensitivity to detect an epileptogenic lesion, showing potential for use in clinical practice. It remains to be established whether this results in improved seizure outcome after surgical treatment. Prospective studies with larger cohorts of epilepsy patients, uniform scan and sequence protocols, and innovative post-processing technology are equally important as further increasing field strengths. Besides technical ameliorations, improved correlation of imaging features with clinical semiology, histopathology and clinical outcome has to be established.