OBJECTIVE. To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of patients with refractory epilepsy and the relationship to progression to surgery.

DESIGN. Prospective observational study.

SETTING. University teaching hospital, Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for epilepsy surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings, correlation with electroencephalographic results, and percentage of patients who were considered suitable candidates for surgery.

RESULTS. Structural abnormalities associated with refractory epilepsy in 100 consecutive patients were mesial temporal sclerosis (30%), neocortical sclerosis (23%), vascular malformation (7%), neuronal migration disorders (7%), and tumours (5%). Normal brain scans were found for 28% of patients. Fourteen of 30 (46%) patients with medial temporal lobe lesions at magnetic resonance imaging were suitable candidates for surgery compared with 8/42 (19%) patients with extrahippocampal lesions (odds ratio=3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-10.6; P<0.012).

CONCLUSION. Mesial temporal sclerosis was the most common pathology in patients with refractory epilepsy. At the Prince of Wales Hospital, for patients who have undergone a basic magnetic resonance imaging protocol and surface electroencephalography, the result of cranial magnetic resonance imaging is an important determinant for whether patients will undergo surgery.

Key words: Epilepsy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Surgery

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