MRI in epilepsy

A retrospective study was done of the MRI and CT scans of 267 consecutive patients sent for an evaluation of one or more seizures. 21% (57/267) of the MRI scans were abnormal. The CT scan was normal in 28% of these MRI documented abnormal cases. In an additional 10% of these cases, MRI was more specific than CT scan. CT was more specific in cases of calcification and abscess (7%). There was one case specific than CT scan. CT was more specific in cases of calcification and abscess (7%). There was one case of undetermined pathology in which CT was abnormal despite a normal MRI. The predominant abnormalities found on MRI included tumor, infarction and vascular malformation. MRI is more sensitive than CT in noting central nervous system pathology and lesions of potential therapeutic significance in patients with seizures.