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The place of neuroimaging

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

neuroimaging is not routinely indicated in every case of childhood epilepsy e.g. in those with a well-defined benign syndrome such as benign Rolandic epilepsy of childhood. Also neuroimaging is not routinely indicated in children with a definite diagnosis of an idiopathic generalised epilepsy syndrome e.g. juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, typical absence epilepsy
neuroimaging is always indicated if the child has evidence of:
- developmental regression, a neurological deficit, or a neurocutaneous syndrome (e.g. neurofibromatosis, tuberose sclerosis)
- a partial onset of seizures (simple and/or complex)
- myoclonic seizures (other than juvenile myoclonic epilepsy)
- infantile spasms
- seizures refractory to treatment, unclassifiable seizures
- if there is unexplained loss of previously good seizure control

Also, a child who has previously had a normal brain scan, but whose epilepsy remains poorly controlled, should probably have repeat imaging, ideally 12-18 months after previous 'normal' scan .

Magnetic resonance imaging is the recommended neuroimaging technique. It is superior to computerised tomography in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

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