Structural neuroimaging in partial epilepsy. Magnetic resonance imaging.

MR imaging is the structural neuroimaging procedure of choice in patients with intractable partial epilepsy being considered for surgical treatment. The results of the MR imaging study may be used to identify appropriate candidates for epilepsy surgery. The MR imaged pathology may be of prognostic importance, alter the presurgical evaluation, and affect the operative strategy. Favorable candidates for epilepsy surgery include patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy related to MTS and patients with lesional epileptic syndromes. Postoperative MR imaging may be useful to determine the extent of lesional and cortical resection.