Cheng-Yu Chen MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wen-Chau Wu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chao-Ching Huang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hsiao-Wen Chung, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michelle Liou, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chun-Jen Hsueh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chang-Shin Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ming-Long Wu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The causal effect of early febrile convulsions (FC) on later-onset temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) remains unclear. In this study we sought to examine the hippocampal alterations in epileptic children with or without FC history by using magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and volumetry.

Fifty-five children aged from 18 months to 15 years were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided into three groups: the Control group without either TLE or history of FC (n=16), the TLE group with early history of FC (TLE+FC) (n=22) and the TLE group without FC history (n=17). Measurement of hippocampal volume (HV) was performed on three-dimensional T1-weighted MR images and normalized by the intracranial volume. Each individual subject had two measures of lateralization; one gives the smaller side of HV and the other with contralateral larger side of HV. Single-voxel proton MR spectroscopy of the hippocampi was performed with metabolic ratio NAA/Cho+Cr calculated and grouped separately as were with volumetry..

The overall mean HV for the control group is 2.61 x 0.21 cm3 at an average intracranial volume of 965 x 241 cm3, and the asymmetry index for hippocampal volume was (2.32 x 1.58)%. Mean HV differed significantly for the three groups. When analyzing separately the primary and secondary sides, significant difference was found between Control and TLE as well as between Control and TLE+FC for the smaller side, whereas for the larger side significant difference was found only between Control and TLE+FC. In MR spectroscopic measurements, the mean NAA/(Cr+Cho) of bilateral hippocampi in control group is 0.77 x 0.06. Statistical significance in group difference for spectroscopic results was similar to volumetric measurements..

Children with TLE and early history of FC tend to have lower hippocampal volumes and NAA/(Cr+Cho) ratios than TLE children without FC history. The TLE+FC group seems to have increased vulnerability of the contralateral hippocampus as compared with TLE group. MR volumetry and spectroscopy are equally capable of showing the trends of hippocampal alternations in children with TLE with or without FC history.

Chen, C, Wu, W, Huang, C, Chung, H, Liou, M, Hsueh, C, Lee, C, Wu, M, et al, , Hippocampal Alterations in Children with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with or without a History of Febrile Convulsions: Evaluations with MR Volumetry and Proton MR Spectroscopy.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4412560.html