3T MRI Improves Diagnosis of Focal Epilepsy
Recent data published in the American Journal of Roentgenology indicates the utility of 3T MRI to diagnose patients with focal epilepsy. The method can both characterize and detect structural brain abnormalities in these patients.
The research team from Oregon Health and Science University compared the utility of 3T and 1.5T MRI in a retrospective study of 25 patients. Specific outcomes considered included disease detection and characterization. Detection was defined as the number of lesions documented. Characterization of disease was defined as the type of abnormality: congenital deformity, tumor, or vascular malformation.
Imaging assessment of patients using 3T MRI detected disease in 65 of 74 patients. With 1.5T MRI, alternatively, disease was documented in 55 of those 74 cases. Accurate characterization of lesions was documented in 63 of 74 cases with the 3T system compared to 51 of 74 with the 1.5T MRI.
Important benefits notes include improved diagnosis of the neurologic condition as well as increased patient safety. 3T offers an improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to 1.5T MRI.
Patients who have documented structural abnormalities are eligible to undergo treatment with surgery. This is one of the few treatment options that offers patients the possibility for a long-term cure.
September 11, 2008 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Psychiatry & Neurology