Look back to leap forward: The emerging new role of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in nonlesional epilepsy

Anto Bagić

doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2015.05.009

Look back to leap forward: The emerging new role of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in nonlesional epilepsy

Clin Neurophysiol. 2016 Jan;127(1):60-66. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.05.009. Epub 2015 May 15.

Author

Anto Bagić¹

Affiliation

¹ University of Pittsburgh Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (UPCEC), UPMC MEG Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Suite 811, Kaufmann Medical Building, 3471 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: bagica@upmc.edu.

PMID: 26055337
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.05.009

Abstract

This review considers accumulating evidence for a new role of MEG/MSI in increasing the diagnostic yield of supposedly negative MRIs, and suggests changes in the use of MEG/MSI in presurgical epilepsy evaluations. Specific alterations in practice protocols for both the MEG practitioner (i.e. physician magnetoencephalographer) and MEG user (i.e. referring physician) are proposed that should further enhance the overall value of MEG/MSI. Although advances in MEG analysis methods will likely become increasingly assisted by computers, interpretive competency and prudent clinical judgment remain irreplaceable.

Keywords: Diagnostic yield; Epilepsy surgery; Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD); MEG practitioner; MEG user; MSI-guided MRI review; Magnetic Source Imaging (MSI); Negative MRI.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Craniofacial Abnormalities
Epilepsies, Partial / diagnosis*
Humans
Magnetoencephalography / methods*
Malformations of Cortical Development / diagnosis*

Supplementary concepts

Cortical Dysplasia-Focal Epilepsy Syndrome