Introduction: More sensitive and specific diagnostic methods in partial epilepsy in children are still searched.
Aim of study: The aim of this study was to assess clinical value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HMRS) in diagnostics of partial epilepsy in children. The relation between HMRS data and congenital and acquired risk factors of partial epilepsy, age of onset and clinical assessment of patients were analyzed. The compatibility of HMRS, MRI and EEG/videoEEG results were assessed.
Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 140 children with partial epilepsy hospitalized between 1998 and 2004 in Department of Pediatric Neurology, JagieIlonian University in Kraków. Different factors related to HMRS results, such as age, pregnancy and birth period factors, familiar epilepsy, patient's risk factors for appearance of epilepsy, acquired risk factors of epilepsy, results of neurological examination, type of epilepsy, status epilepticus, and signs associated with epileptic attacks were analyzed. HMRS examinations were performed by SVS PRESS technique. T-Student, Mann-Whithney and Fisher statistical tests were used.
Results: HMRS was performed in 16/140 children, and in 15/16 cases its results were positive. HMRS imaging was normal in 1 child with normal MRI imaging. There were no significant correlation between HMRS findings and pregnancy birth and acquired epileptogenic factors and results of neurological examination of children. Positive correlation between HMRS imaging and MRI and EEG/videoEEG results was revealed. Important diagnostic value of HMRS in partial epilepsy without changes in MRI and with localized changes in EEG was documented.
Conclusions: HMRS results were more compatible with EEG/ videoEEG findings than with MR imaging. It is important to perform HMRS in children with partial epilepsy and without any MRI changes.