Structural Neuroimaging

• Who should have a structural neuroimaging? ○ Status epilepticus or acute, severe epilepsy ○ Develop seizures when > 20 years old ○ Focal epilepsy (unless typical of benign focal epilepsy syndrome) ○ Refractory epilepsy ○ Evidence of neurocutaneous syndrome

• Modalities available: ○ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ○ Computerized Tomography (CT)

• What sort of structural scan? ○ MRI better than CT ○ CT usually adequate if to exclude large tumor ○ MRI not involve ionizing radiation ■ I.e. not affect fetus in pregnant women (but nevertheless avoided if possible)