Prospective comparison of MR imaging (1.5 T) and CT detection of small intracranial metastases

Prior studies indicate lack of MR imaging sensitivity in the evaluation of intractable seizure patients. The authors reviewed MR imaging studies of 15 patients with intractable seizures. High-quality thin-section multiplanar images were obtained with electrocardiographic gating and/or flow compensation techniques and a 1.5-T General Electric Signa unit. Correlation with intracranial electro-encephalography (EEG), CT, and pathology was obtained in all patients. Abnormalities on MR imaging were detected in all but one patient. Pathology revealed MTS in 12 of 15 patients. Other entities included heterotopias and cavernous angiomas. The authors' study indicates that high-resolution, flow-compensated MR imaging is quite sensitive for localization of eleptogenic structural abnormalities and complements EEG