title: International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force recommendations for a veterinary epilepsy-specific MRI protocol.
abstract: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases in veterinary practice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is regarded as an important diagnostic test to reach the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. However, given that the diagnosis requires the exclusion of other differentials for seizures, the parameters for MRI examination should allow the detection of subtle lesions which may not be obvious with existing techniques. In addition, there are several differentials for idiopathic epilepsy in humans, for example some focal cortical dysplasias, which may only apparent with special sequences, imaging planes and/or particular techniques used in performing the MRI scan. As a result, there is a need to standardize MRI examination in veterinary patients with techniques that reliably diagnose subtle lesions, identify post-seizure changes, and which will allow for future identification of underlying causes of seizures not yet apparent in the veterinary literature.There is a need for a standardized veterinary epilepsy-specific MRI protocol which will facilitate more detailed examination of areas susceptible to generating and perpetuating seizures, is cost efficient, simple to perform and can be adapted for both low and high field scanners. Standardisation of imaging will improve clinical communication and uniformity of case definition between research studies. A 6-7 sequence epilepsy-specific MRI protocol for veterinary patients is proposed and further advanced MR and functional imaging is reviewed.
authors: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, GU7 2QQ, Surrey, UK. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.|School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7TE, Surrey, UK. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Rusbridge
authors: University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Weibee, 3015, VIC, Australia. snlong@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Long
authors: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, GU7 2QQ, Surrey, UK. EliJ@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Jovanovik
authors: University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Weibee, 3015, VIC, Australia. mmil@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Marjorie
authors: M
authors: Milne
authors: Department of Veterinary and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. mbe@sund.ku.dk.
authors: Mette
authors: M
authors: Berendt
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium. sofie.bhatti@ugent.be.
authors: Sofie F M
authors: SF
authors: Bhatti
authors: Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 7UU, Suffolk, UK. luisa.derisio@aht.org.uk.
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: De Risio
authors: Fernside Veterinary Centre, 205 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, SG9 0TH, Hertfordshire, UK. robyn.fernside@googlemail.com.
authors: Robyn G
authors: RG
authors: Farqhuar
authors: Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539, Munich, Germany. andreafischer@lmu.de.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Fischer
authors: Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539, Munich, Germany. matiasek@patho.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Kaspar
authors: K
authors: Matiasek
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA. krmunana@ncsu.edu.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Muñana
authors: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, D426 Veterinary Medical Center, 1352 Boyd Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. patte037@umn.edu.
authors: Edward E
authors: EE
authors: Patterson
authors: Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria. akos.pakozdy@vetmeduni.ac.at.
authors: Akos
authors: A
authors: Pakozdy
authors: Vet Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Craig Leith Road, Stirling, FK7 7LE, Stirlingshire, UK. jacques.penderis@vet-neurology.co.uk.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Penderis
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. srplatt@uga.edu.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Platt
authors: Chicago Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, 3123 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618, USA. mpodell@comcast.net.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Podell
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Königinstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany. potschka@pharmtox.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Heidrun
authors: H
authors: Potschka
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Veronika.Stein@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Veronika M
authors: VM
authors: Stein
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Andrea.Tipold@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Tipold
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK. hvolk@rvc.ac.uk.
authors: Holger A
authors: HA
authors: Volk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D038622:Internationality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*