TY - JOUR
T1 - Microstructural Changes in Absence Seizure Children
T2 - A Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
AU - Liang, Jao Shwann
AU - Lee, Shiou Ping
AU - Pulli, Benjamin
AU - Chen, John W.
AU - Kao, Sheng Chuan
AU - Tsang, Yuk Ming
AU - Hsieh, Kevin Li Chun
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015
PY - 2016/8/1
Y1 - 2016/8/1
N2 - Background Absence seizures are a subtype of epileptic seizures clinically characterized by transient alterations in states of consciousness and by electroencephalography indicating diffuse spike-wave discharges (SWD). Conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not routinely used to establish the diagnosis, but rather to rule out other diseases. The present study investigated tissue integrity in children with SWD epilepsy using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-DTI was conducted in 18 patients with absence seizures and 10 control participants. Brain areas were evaluated using diffusion maps, and fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), parallel diffusivity (λ||), and perpendicular diffusivity (λ⊥) values were extracted and analyzed. Tractography at the regions of abnormal diffusion indices was then reconstructed in each group, and tract symmetry was evaluated by an index of asymmetry (AI). Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric Mann–Whitney U tests, with p values < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Compared to the control group, patients with SWD epilepsy had lower FA values and higher MD values at the genu of the corpus callosum. There was also a stronger negative correlation between MD and FA values at the genu of the corpus callosum in patients than in control participants. The AI for the fiber tracts through the genu of the corpus callosum in the SWD group was significantly higher than that of the control group, indicating that tract distribution was more asymmetric in patients with epilepsy. There were no significant differences between groups in diffusion indices for other brain areas. Conclusion We observed microstructural changes in the genu of the corpus callosum, as well as reduced FA values, increased λ⊥ values, increased MD values, and asymmetric distribution of fiber tracts, indicating that DTI is more sensitive than conventional MRI to detect brain abnormalities in children with absence seizures.
AB - Background Absence seizures are a subtype of epileptic seizures clinically characterized by transient alterations in states of consciousness and by electroencephalography indicating diffuse spike-wave discharges (SWD). Conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not routinely used to establish the diagnosis, but rather to rule out other diseases. The present study investigated tissue integrity in children with SWD epilepsy using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-DTI was conducted in 18 patients with absence seizures and 10 control participants. Brain areas were evaluated using diffusion maps, and fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), parallel diffusivity (λ||), and perpendicular diffusivity (λ⊥) values were extracted and analyzed. Tractography at the regions of abnormal diffusion indices was then reconstructed in each group, and tract symmetry was evaluated by an index of asymmetry (AI). Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric Mann–Whitney U tests, with p values < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Compared to the control group, patients with SWD epilepsy had lower FA values and higher MD values at the genu of the corpus callosum. There was also a stronger negative correlation between MD and FA values at the genu of the corpus callosum in patients than in control participants. The AI for the fiber tracts through the genu of the corpus callosum in the SWD group was significantly higher than that of the control group, indicating that tract distribution was more asymmetric in patients with epilepsy. There were no significant differences between groups in diffusion indices for other brain areas. Conclusion We observed microstructural changes in the genu of the corpus callosum, as well as reduced FA values, increased λ⊥ values, increased MD values, and asymmetric distribution of fiber tracts, indicating that DTI is more sensitive than conventional MRI to detect brain abnormalities in children with absence seizures.
KW - absence seizures
KW - diffusion tensor imaging
KW - magnetic resonance imaging
KW - mean diffusivity
KW - tractography
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U2 - 10.1016/j.pedneo.2015.10.003
DO - 10.1016/j.pedneo.2015.10.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 26750405
AN - SCOPUS:84951947472
SN - 1875-9572
VL - 57
SP - 318
EP - 325
JO - Pediatrics and Neonatology
JF - Pediatrics and Neonatology
IS - 4
ER -