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Observational Study
. 2013 Jun;13(2):529-40.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v13i2.51.

MRI findings in people with epilepsy and nodding syndrome in an area endemic for onchocerciasis: an observational study

A S Winkler  1 , K Friedrich, S Velicheti, J Dharsee, R König, A Nassri, M Meindl, A Kidunda, T H Müller, L Jilek-Aall, W Matuja, T Gotwald, E Schmutzhard
Affiliations
Observational Study

MRI findings in people with epilepsy and nodding syndrome in an area endemic for onchocerciasis: an observational study

A S Winkler et al. Afr Health Sci. 2013 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Onchocerciasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The debate on a potential causal relationship between Onchocerca volvulus and epilepsy has taken a new direction in the light of the most recent epidemic of nodding syndrome.

Objective: To document MRI changes in people with different types of epilepsy and investigate whether there is an association with O. volvulus infection.

Methods: In a prospective study in southern Tanzania, an area endemic for O. volvulus with a high prevalence of epilepsy and nodding syndrome, we performed MRI on 32 people with epilepsy, 12 of which suffered from nodding syndrome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of O. volvulus was performed in skin and CSF.

Results: The most frequent abnormalities seen on MRI was atrophy (twelve patients (37.5%)) followed by intraparenchymal pathologies such as changes in the hippocampus (nine patients (28.1%)), gliotic lesions (six patients (18.8%)) and subcortical signal abnormalities (three patients (9.4%)). There was an overall trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathologies and infection with O. volvulus based on skin PCR (Fisher's Exact Test p=0.067) which was most pronounced in children and adolescents with nodding syndrome compared to those with other types of epilepsy (Fisher's Exact Test, p=0.083). Contrary to skin PCR results, PCR of CSF was negative in all patients.

Conclusion: The observed trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathological results on MRI and a positive skin PCR for O. volvulus despite negative PCR of CSF is intriguing and deserves further attention.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Onchocerca volvulus; cerebrospinal fluid; head nodding; magnetic resonance imaging.

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Figures

Figures 1a – 3a
Figures 1a – 3a
13 year-old male with head nodding and generalized tonic clonic seizures showing bilateral punctuate subcortical hyperintensities in the frontal lobe on T2W1. Some of them are suppressed on FLAIR confirming that they are Virchow-Robin spaces, the remaining hyperintense foci most likely correspond to gliotic lesions. After administration of contrast medium, lesions were non-enhancing on T1W1.
Figures 4a – 6a
Figures 4a – 6a
14 year-old male with head nodding and generalized tonic clonic seizures showing bilateral punctuate subcortical hyperintensities in the frontal lobe, on T2W1 and axial as well as coronal FLAIR most likely corresponding to gliotic lesions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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