Advanced structural and functional MRI in childhood epilepsies

New noninvasive MR imaging techniques are currently deeply changing the exploration of epileptic and functional networks in childhood epilepsies, as well as of the normally developing brain. While DTI can be used to look at the anatomical connectivity and at the microstructural changes that reflect the organization of an epileptic network, in addition to other techniques such as SPECT and PET, functional MRI is nowadays used routinely in the presurgical planning of focal epilepsies to assess the cortical organization of motor and language networks, helping to select surgical patients and plan the resection. Precise and robust motor mapping can be obtained in children comparably to adults. The assessment of language dominance by fMRI has reduced the need for invasive techniques such as the Wada test, provided age-related paradigms are being used in cooperating children (from 5 to 6 years of developmental age, with IQs of at least 60, and without behavioral disorders). Recent data indicate that the localizing value of language fMRI might be good when compared to cortical stimulation, and memory fMRI is emerging in children. However, invasive techniques are still necessary in difficult cases with high risk of postoperative deficit.