Value of neuroimaging in epilepsy: An experience from Pakistan

PURPOSE: To detect the possible structural brain lesions in the patients suffering from various kinds of epilepsy during the routine neuroimaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 366 epileptic patients conducted at epilepsy clinic, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Pakistan in an outpatient setting. MRI or CT scan of the brain without contrast was advised in all patients to detect any underlying pathology. RESULTS: A total 21.31% scans were found to be abnormal. Many cases of familial, idiopathic epilepsy and patients without any neurological deficit were found to have structural brain lesions, which might be responsible for their seizures. CONCLUSION: CT/MRI scan of the brain should be advised in all patients of epilepsy regardless of cause and type of epilepsy. The presence of neurological deficit should not be the sole indication for neuroimaging.