[Psychomotor epilepsy--a comparison of CT and MR in 100 patients]

The value of CT and MR was studied in 100 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Axial CT scans were obtained before and after contrast injection. Coronary MR scans were carried out with T1-(SE 400/30, GE 315/14) and T2-weighted sequences (SE 1600/30 + 70). A circumscribed lesion was demonstrated in fifteen patients by CT and in 25 patients by MR. With the exception of a small area of calcification, all lesions seen on CT could also be recognized on MR. In four patients CT, MR and pathologic specimen could be compared following partial resection of temporal lobe. Localized glial reactions, which were not seen on CT, produced a signal difference on MR. Better sensitivity and improved demonstration of the temporal lobes makes MR the method of choice in the diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy.