MEG Node Degree for Focus Localization: Comparison with Invasive EEG

Epilepsy surgery is a viable therapy option for patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsies. A prerequisite for postoperative seizure freedom is the localization of the epileptogenic zone, e.g., using electro- and magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG). Evidence shows that resting state MEG contains subtle alterations, which may add information to the workup of epilepsy surgery. Here, we investigate node degree (ND), a graph-theoretical parameter of functional connectivity, in relation to the seizure onset zone (SOZ) determined by invasive EEG (iEEG) in a consecutive series of 50 adult patients. Resting state data were subjected to whole brain, all-to-all connectivity analysis using the imaginary part of coherence. Graphs were described using parcellated ND. SOZ localization was investigated on a lobar and sublobar level. On a lobar level, all frequency bands except alpha showed significantly higher maximal ND (mND) values inside the SOZ compared to outside (ratios 1.11-1.20, alpha 1.02). Area-under-the-curve (AUC) was 0.67-0.78 for all expected alpha (0.44, ns). On a sublobar level, mND inside the SOZ was higher for all frequency bands (1.13-1.38, AUC 0.58-0.78) except gamma (1.02). MEG ND is significantly related to SOZ in delta, theta and beta bands. ND may provide new localization tools for presurgical evaluation of epilepsy surgery.

Presurgical EEG-fMRI in a complex clinical case with seizure recurrence after epilepsy surgery

Epilepsy surgery has improved over the last decade, but non-seizure-free outcome remains at 10%-40% in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 40%-60% in extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). This paper reports a complex multifocal case. With a normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) result and nonlocalizing electroencephalography (EEG) findings (bilateral TLE and ETLE, with more interictal epileptiform discharges [IEDs] in the right frontal and temporal regions), a presurgical EEG-functional MRI (fMRI) was performed before the intraoperative intracranial EEG (icEEG) monitoring (icEEG with right hemispheric coverage). Our previous EEG-fMRI analysis results (IEDs in the left hemisphere alone) were contradictory to the EEG and icEEG findings (IEDs in the right frontal and temporal regions). Thus, the EEG-fMRI data were reanalyzed with newly identified IED onsets and different fMRI model options. The reanalyzed EEG-fMRI findings were largely concordant with those of EEG and icEEG, and the failure of our previous EEG-fMRI analysis may lie in the inaccurate identification of IEDs and wrong usage of model options. The right frontal and temporal regions were resected in surgery, and dual pathology (hippocampus sclerosis and focal cortical dysplasia in the extrahippocampal region) was found. The patient became seizure-free for 3 months, but his seizures restarted after antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were stopped. The seizures were not well controlled after resuming AEDs. Postsurgical EEGs indicated that ictal spikes in the right frontal and temporal regions reduced, while those in the left hemisphere became prominent. This case suggested that (1) EEG-fMRI is valuable in presurgical evaluation, but requires caution; and (2) the intact seizure focus in the remaining brain may cause the non-seizure-free outcome.

The localizing and lateralizing value of auras in lesional partial epilepsy patients

PURPOSE

We investigated the localizing and lateralizing values of auras in patients with lesional partial epilepsy on an outpatient basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 276 subjects were retrospectively selected for this study if they had a unilateral single lobar lesion based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) results, and their scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were not discordant with the MRI-defined lobar localization and lateralization. According to the lesion locations, subjects were considered as having mesial temporal (MTLE), lateral temporal (LTLE), frontal (FLE), parietal (PLE), or occipital (OLE) lobe epilepsies. Auras were classified into 13 categories.

RESULTS

A hundred and seventy-six subjects (63.8%) had experienced at least one aura. FLE subjects had the fewest number of auras. Epigastric and psychic auras were frequent among MTLE subjects, while visual auras were common in those with PLE and OLE. Somatosensory auras and whole body sensations were more frequent in the subjects with PLE than those without. Autonomic auras were more common in MTLE subjects than in LTLE subjects. Dysphasic auras were more frequently found in left-sided epilepsies. Five pairs of aura categories showed concurrent tendencies, which were the epigastric and autonomic auras, autonomic and emotional auras, visual and vestibular auras, auditory and vestibular auras, and whole-body sensation and auditory auras. Autonomic and emotional auras had a concurrent tendency in left-sided epilepsies, but not in right-sided epilepsies.

CONCLUSION

Our results support the previously known localizing value of auras, and suggest that dysphasic auras and the association of emotional and autonomic auras may have a lateralizing value.