MRI in the evaluation of localization-related epilepsy

Abstract

This article covers the MRI evaluation of patients with epilepsy, with a focus on neuroimaging in those with localization-related epilepsy who may be potential epilepsy surgery candidates. The article includes structural MRI to identify a lesion, functional MRI to identify the eloquent cortex and diffusion tensor imaging to identify the eloquent white matter tracts. We consider the equipment, protocol or procedures, and reporting of MRI in patients with epilepsy. Recommendations for both adult and pediatric patients are described for protocols and procedures. The authors hope that this article will provide a standardized approach for clinical imaging of patients with suspected localization-related epilepsy who may be evaluated for epilepsy surgery. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016.

Keywords: diffusion tensor imaging; epilepsy; functional MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; protocols.