7 tesla T2*‐weighted MRI as a tool to improve detection of focal cortical dysplasia. Issue 3 (9th September 2016) - Veersema, Tim J.
Abstract: Focal cortical dysplasia is one of the most common underlying pathologies in patients who undergo surgery for refractory epilepsy. Absence of a MRI‐visible lesion necessitates additional diagnostic tests and is a predictor of poor surgical outcome. We describe a series of six patients with refractory epilepsy due to histopathologically‐confirmed focal cortical dysplasia, for whom pre‐surgical 7 tesla T 2 *‐weighted MRI was acquired. In four of six patients, T 2 * sequences showed areas of marked superficial hypointensity, co‐localizing with the epileptogenic lesion. 7 tesla T 2 * hypointensities overlying focal cortical dysplasia may represent leptomeningeal venous vascular abnormalities associated with the underlying dysplastic cortex. Adding T 2 * sequences to the MRI protocol may aid in the detection of focal cortical dysplasias.