Abstracts

Abnormal MRI is a predictor of poor outcome in focal epilepsy

Abstract number : 3.144
Submission category : 4. Clinical Epilepsy
Year : 2010
Submission ID : 13156
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM
Published date : Dec 2, 2010, 06:00 AM

Authors :
Damian Consalvo, M. Kauffman, S. Oddo, B. Giagante and S. Kochen

Rationale: The aim of the study was to analyze if epileptogenic lesions found on brain MRI studies are predictive of bad response to the pharmacological treatment in epilepsy patients. Methods: We selected epilepsy patients who had been a MRI done. According to the response of the pharmacological treatment they were classified into 2 groups: Drug Resistant and Non-Drug Resistant. We analyzed the variables: age, age at onset (AO), time of the evolution (TE), localization of the epileptogenic zone and the presence of an epileptogenic lesion on the MRI. Results: Three hundred and twenty three patients with focal epilepsy were included. There were differences in AO less in Drug Resistant patients and TE less in Non-Drug Resistant. Patients with focal epilepsy and an abnormal MRI were 2.3 times more likely to be drug-resistant than patients with a normal MRI. These three variables were considered independent risk factors for intractability. Conclusions: A MRI showing an epileptogenic lesion is a predictor of poor outcome in patients with focal epilepsy.
Clinical Epilepsy