[Positron emission tomography plus VEEG in the localization of epileptic foci in negative-MRI interact epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the application value of positron emission tomography (PET) in the localization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative epileptogenic focus.


METHODS
Brain images of 18fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) and 13N-NH3·H2O-PET, MRI and video electroencephalography (VEEG) were obtained in 65 patients. Preoperative and postoperative localizations were compared in MRI-negative patients. And the results of PET and VEEG were compared between the MRI-positive and MRI-negative groups.


RESULTS
MRI scans were normal in 26 cases and abnormal in 35 cases. Sixty-one patients had interictal epileptiform discharge on VEEG (brain regions, n = 12; multiple brain areas, n = 16; hemisphere, n = 13; unspecified location, n = 20) and interictal PET imaging (brain regions, n = 23; multiple brain areas, n = 28; hemisphere, n = 5; unspecified location, n = 6). And 17 MRI-negative patients underwent operations and 12 of them reached the Engels I-II level standard. Both PET and VEEG were compared between the MRI-positive and MRI-negative groups. No significant differences existed between two group (P < 0.05). A comparison of PET and VEEG showed statistical significance in two group (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
PET imaging is both sensitive and effective in the detection and localization of epileptogenic foci. Especially for MRI-negative cases, it is an indispensable tool of localizing epileptogenic foci.
Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Xin-ping
XP
Bai
Wei-dong
WD
Yang
Qing
Q
Yu
Zhi-juan
ZJ
Chen
Li
L
Cai
Zeng-guang
ZG
Wang
Yang
Y
Liu
Guang-jian
GJ
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D055815:Young Adult