Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
Initial experience in hybrid PET-MRI for evaluation of refractory focal onset epilepsy
Hae W Shin1, Valerie Jewells2, Arif Sheikh2
1Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
Purpose:
We aim to evaluate the utility/improved accuracy of hybrid PET/MR compared to current practice separate 3T MRI and PET-CT imaging for localization of seizure foci.
Method:
In a pilot study, twenty-nine patients undergoing epilepsy surgery evaluation were imaged using PET/MR. This subject group had 29 previous clinical 3T MRI as well as 12 PET-CT studies. Prior clinical PET and MR images were read sequentially while the hybrid PET/MR was concurrently read.
Results:
The median interval between hybrid PET/MR and prior imaging studies was 5 months (range 1-77 months). In 24 patients, there was no change in the read between the clinical exams and hybrid PET/MR while new anatomical or functional lesions were identified by hybrid PET/MR in 5 patients without significant clinical change. Four new anatomical MR lesions were seen with concordant PET findings. The remaining patient revealed a new abnormal PET lesion without an MR abnormality. All new PET/MR lesions were clinically significant with concordant EEG and/or SPECT results as potential epileptic foci.
Conclusion:
Our initial hybrid PET-MRI experience increased diagnostic yields for detection of potential epileptic lesions. This may be due to the unique advantage of improved co-registration and simultaneous review of both structural and functional data.
Insights
Hybrid PET/MRI imaging improves the detection of potential epileptic lesions compared to separate MRI and PET-CT scans. This advanced technique offers better localization of seizure foci by combining structural and functional data.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Epilepsy surgery evaluation requires precise localization of seizure foci.
- Current standard imaging includes separate 3T MRI and PET-CT scans.
- Limitations exist in the sequential reading and co-registration of separate imaging modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility and accuracy of hybrid PET/MRI compared to standard separate 3T MRI and PET-CT for seizure focus localization.
- To assess if hybrid PET/MRI enhances the identification of anatomical or functional lesions indicative of epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involved 29 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery evaluation.
- Patients were imaged using hybrid PET/MRI and their data compared to prior clinical 3T MRI and PET-CT studies.
- Hybrid PET/MRI scans were read concurrently, unlike the sequential reading of prior clinical images.
Main Results:
- Hybrid PET/MRI identified new anatomical or functional lesions in 5 out of 29 patients.
- These new lesions, including MR and PET abnormalities, were clinically significant and correlated with EEG/SPECT findings.
- No significant clinical change was noted in patients with new lesion identification.
Conclusions:
- Initial experience with hybrid PET/MRI demonstrates increased diagnostic yield for detecting potential epileptic lesions.
- The improved co-registration and simultaneous review of structural and functional data contribute to enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
- Hybrid PET/MRI shows promise as a superior tool for epilepsy localization.
More Related Videos
09:57Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
10:23Equipment Setup and Artifact Removal for Simultaneous Electroencephalogram and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Clinical Review in Epilepsy
Published on: June 23, 2023