JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

T2 relaxometry helps prognosticate seizure outcome in patients with solitary cerebral cysticercosis.

OBJECTIVE: Correlate serial T2 relaxometry (T2R) values with long term seizure outcome in patients with solitary cerebral cysticercosis (SCC) in order to establish its usefulness as a prognostic marker in these patients.

METHODS: Patients with new-onset seizures due to SCC were imaged serially using a pre-determined MRI protocol at enrolment and after 3, 6, 12 and 24months. T2 relaxometry was performed using a dual echo sequence with maps generated manually from the measured image intensities at the level of the lesion. Patients were randomised to receive albendazole plus antiepileptic drugs, or only antiepileptic treatment ("controls"). At each visit, as well as four years after study initiation, patients were reviewed for seizure recurrence. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed by physicians blinded to treatment received.

RESULTS: Of 123 patients recruited, 77 had at least four MRIs and >12month follow-up, and were included for analysis. Baseline clinical and demographic parameters as well as antiepileptic treatment were similar between albendazole and control groups. T2 values from the lesion were higher than normal parenchyma initially, and fell to approach normal over six months. Controls had higher T2 values from the lesion centre and wall at six months than those who received albendazole. However no difference was seen in T2 values from perilesional parenchyma between treatment and control groups, indicating lack of modulation of the development of perilesional gliosis by albendazole therapy. Patients with seizures persisting >6months after enrolment had higher perilesional T2 values than those who were seizure-free. A rise in perilesional T2 value at 12months is probably due to gliosis. A later stage of degeneration was associated with a reduced likelihood of seizure relapse.

SIGNIFICANCE: T2 relaxometry at three and six months after seizure onset can identify patients likely to have seizures beyond six months after onset. Persistently abnormal T2 values in patients with poorer outcomes reflect the development of perilesional gliosis.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app