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Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
The value of interictal diffusion-weighted imaging in lateralizing temporal lobe epilepsy.
T Wehner1, E Lapresto, J Tkach
1Epilepsy Center-S10, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. wehnert@ccf.org
Neurology
|January 11, 2007
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging helps lateralize temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in patients with hippocampal atrophy on MRI. However, it does not offer lateralizing information for TLE patients with normal MRI findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- A subset of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients lack hippocampal sclerosis on standard MRI.
- Identifying the epileptogenic zone is crucial for TLE treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if interictal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) provides lateralizing information in TLE patients.
- To assess DWI's utility in TLE with and without conventional MRI abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Studied 22 TLE patients (post-temporal lobectomy) and 18 controls.
- Measured hippocampal volumes and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) using high-resolution MRI and ADC maps.
- Correlated imaging findings with surgical pathology.
Main Results:
- Resected hippocampi were smaller and had higher ADCs than controls.
- Higher ADCs were observed in hippocampi contralateral to the seizure focus.
- In TLE patients with normal MRI, resected hippocampi showed no significant ADC difference; pathology revealed gliosis only.
Conclusions:
- Interictal DWI confirms lateralization in TLE patients with hippocampal atrophy.
- DWI does not provide lateralizing information in TLE patients with nonlateralizing conventional MRI findings.
