Authors:

Abstract

Epilepsy is an important medical condition among children, with an estimated prevalence of around 6/1000 among children in Asian countries. Neuroimaging has a very important role in the diagnostic workup and treatment planning of epilepsy. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the most useful structural imaging modality for epilepsy.

The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of MRI brain abnormalities among children with epilepsy in Sri Lanka and to correlate with their clinical findings.

Data were collected from the patients with epilepsy in the age group of 1 to 15 years, who were referred for MRI brain. Patient’s demographic and clinical data were collected by an interviewer-based data collection sheet. All the MRI studies were performed on a 1.5 tesla MRI machine. Findings of MRI were categorized according to ILAE guidelines for imaging infants and children with recent-onset epilepsy.

Out of 175 patients, 88 (50.3%) had normal MRI results and 87 (49.7%) had at least one MRI abnormality. Among the patients with abnormal results, nonspecific findings were seen in 46 patients (52.9%), specific abnormalities were seen in 36 patients (41.4%) and non-related findings were seen in 5 patients (2.6%). There was no significant relationship between the seizure type and the proportion of abnormalities.

The proportion of MRI brain abnormalities among the children with epilepsy in our population is higher than reported in other countries.

There is a poor correlation of MRI brain abnormalities with the type of seizure.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Seizure, MRI brain, Children, Patient