Complex partial seizures and mesial temporal sclerosis: evaluation with fast spin-echo MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of fast spin-echo (FSE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting mesial temporal sclerosis.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with a diagnosis of complex partial seizures were studied. Criteria for abnormality included visual detection of hippocampal MR signal abnormality and atrophy or significantly decreased hippocampal volume determined by using MR morphometric techniques.


RESULTS
The overall sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in demonstrating correct lateralization of seizure focus were both 100%. The positive predictive value of FSE MR imaging was 100%. The negative predictive value was 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors recommend FSE MR imaging of the hippocampus as the imaging technique of choice in the evaluation of patients with complex partial seizures for mesial temporal sclerosis.
Tien
R D
RD
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Felsberg
G J
GJ
Campi de Castro
C
C
Osumi
A K
AK
Lewis
D V
DV
Friedman
A H
AH
Crain
B
B
Radtke
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012598:Sclerosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*