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Magnetic resonance imaging in epilepsy with a fast FLAIR sequence
U C Wieshmann1, S L Free, A D Everitt
1Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Fast FLAIR MRI is valuable for detecting neocortical lesions and definite hippocampal sclerosis in epilepsy patients quickly. However, it is less effective for mild cases or identifying heterotopia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Neuroimaging
- Epilepsy Diagnostics
Background:
- Epilepsy diagnosis often relies on identifying brain lesions.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences play a crucial role in visualizing these abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the fast FLAIR MRI sequence for epilepsy.
- To compare fast FLAIR with conventional T1 and T2 weighted sequences.
Main Methods:
- 128 epilepsy patients and 10 controls underwent fast FLAIR, GRE T1, and SE/FSE T2 weighted MRI.
- Images were analyzed by neuroradiologists and neurologists.
- Independent raters assessed fast FLAIR for hippocampal sclerosis (HS).
Main Results:
- Fast FLAIR effectively visualized neocortical damage, tumors, and clear-cut HS.
- It detected lesions missed by SE T2 weighted images in some cases.
- It was less sensitive for mild HS and heterotopia compared to other sequences.
Conclusions:
- Fast FLAIR offers a rapid method for detecting neocortical lesions and definite HS in epilepsy.
- Its utility is limited for subtle findings like mild HS or heterotopia.
- It can be a valuable adjunct to conventional MRI sequences.