Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of epileptic patients with tuberous sclerosis complex

Full text: Introduction: Tuberous sclerosis (TS ) is a congenital disease from the group of phacomatoses. It is characterized by multi-organ hamartomas in the skin, central nervous system , lungs, heart and kidneys. The purpose of this study is to present the typical MRI and CT findings in the brain in these patients. Materials and methods: The findings are analyzed in 8 patients who demonstrated TS. Patients were aged 1 to 21 (mean age 10.4 years). Four patients were female, four were male. The clinical data included epileptic seizures and developmental delays. We conducted magnetic resonance tomography of the brain using 1.5 T Philips apparatus and standard protocol for this disease with application of gadolinium containing contrast media. Computed tomography of the brain was done in three patients had a 64- multidetector tomograph Siemens. Results: Cortical tubers and subependymal nodules with the typical features for MR imaging sequences, were observed in all patients. In two patients the findings from MP directed to clinical diagnosis. In one child only one cortical tuber was found, which required differential diagnosis of cortical malformation type II. In three patients the CT images demonstrated calcified subependymal nodules and tuberculosis. Changes in the white matter were visualized in two patients. One patient was diagnosed with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA ). Conclusion: The MR findings in TS were typical, but in some cases it was necessary to conduct CT. The imaging characteristics information is important not only in patients with a known diagnosis (establishing the occurrence of SEGA ), but also for clinical studies in children with epilepsy for diagnosing of tuberous sclerosis