[Postictal MR-changes. A rare and important differential diagnosis]

Abstract

Background: Postictal MR findings are analyzed in the context of MR morphological differential diagnoses.

Patients and methods: Postictal MRI was performed in 11 patients. The patterns of MR changes and their differential diagnoses were analyzed.

Results: Focal accentuation of signal increase in the cortex was found on T2-weighted images in 90% of these cases, pial enhancement in 70% and signal changes of the pulvinar/thalamus in 40%. The most common differential diagnoses were encephalitis, and in tumor patients carcinomatous involvement of the meninges.

Conclusion: Postictal MR changes vary widely and are difficult to differentiate from illnesses such as encephalitis and carcinomatosis involving the meninges. Nevertheless, knowledge of the typical pattern of postictal MR findings and the clinical course may help to avoid mistaken diagnoses.