Role of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in preoperative evaluation of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Mikhail F. Chernov*, Taku Ochiai, Yuko Ono, Yoshihiro Muragaki, Fumitaka Yamane, Takaomi Taira, Takashi Maruyama, Masahiko Tanaka, Hiroshi Iseki, Osami Kubo, Yoshikazu Okada, Tomokatsu Hori, Kintomo Takakura

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted for evaluation of the role of single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in preoperative investigation of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Eighteen cases, including both non-lesional and lesional MTLE, were analyzed. Selective amygdalohippocampectomy was performed in 8 cases, selective amygdalohippocampectomy combined with lesionectomy in 6 cases, lesionectomy in 3 cases, and anterior temporal lobe resection in one case. The length of follow-up varied from 24 to 71 months (median, 35 months). Before surgery, 1H-MRS disclosed decrease of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) content (P = 0.01) and more frequent (P = 0.07) presence of lactate (Lac) on the side of the epileptogenic zone. Decrease of NAA content below 0.75 and/or unilateral presence of Lac provided 86% (95% CI: 68%-100%) lateralization accuracy. Metabolic parameters did not differ in subgroups with hippocampal sclerosis and brain tumors. On the long-term follow-up 12 patients (67%) were free of disabling seizures. There was a trend (P = 0.05) for worse seizure outcome in cases with significant bilateral metabolic alterations characterized by predominance of choline-containing compounds' peak on 1H-MR spectra on both sides. In conclusion, 1H-MRS-detected reduction of NAA content and unilateral presence of Lac in the mesial temporal lobe structures may serve as additional diagnostic clues for lateralization of the epileptogenic zone in MTLE. Metabolic imaging has limited usefulness for differentiation of the hippocampal sclerosis and low-grade intraaxial brain tumor. Presence of significant bilateral metabolic alterations in the mesial temporal lobe structures is associated with worse postoperative seizure control.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)212-219
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences
Volume285
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Oct 15
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hippocampal sclerosis
  • Low-grade glioma
  • Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
  • Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • Seizure outcome
  • Surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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