Contribution of computed tomography in the diagnosis of symptomatic epilepsy

• Published in: Santé (Montrouge, France) Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 61 - 64
• Main Authors: N'Dri, K, Thera, M, Bedi, M O, Konan, A, Ettien, F, Zunon-Kipre, E, Burdin-Mensah, G D, Abby, C B, Keita, A K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Atrophy; Brain - pathology; Brain Diseases - complications; Brain Injuries - complications; Brain Neoplasms - complications; Cerebrovascular Disorders - complications; Child; Child, Preschool; Epilepsy - diagnostic imaging; Epilepsy - etiology; Female; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms - complications; Meningioma - complications; Middle Aged; Neurocysticercosis - complications; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral - complications
• ISSN: 1157-5999

The aim of this retrospective study was to document the various causes of epilepsy determined by computed tomography (CT). We studied 205 CT scans carried out in patients with symptomatic epilepsy. We identified 52 (25.36%) pathological causes: 18 cases (34.62%) of infectious lesions, predominantly toxoplasmosis, 9 cases (17.30%) of tumors, 9 cases (17.30%) of vascular lesions and 8 cases (15.39%) of post-traumatic and atrophic lesions. CT is of great value in the diagnosis of epilepsy, not only in the assessment of the disease, but also for identifying the lesion responsible for the seizures, which may be treatable. It is advisable to carry out a CT scan for any patient presenting with symptomatic epilepsy.