Did you get an MRI?

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy Forums

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy forums - a peer support community for folks dealing (directly or indirectly) with seizure disorders. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.

Please have a look around and if you like what you see, please consider registering an account and joining the discussions. When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no ads, access to members only (ie. private) forum nodes and more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!

S

Starburst

New
Messages
163
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hi,
I was just wondering if people usually get MRIs when going through testing for epilepsy. Two of my children were recently diagnosed with epilepsy - my newborn (who is now 6 months old) and my 17-year-old son. The neurologist immediately ordered an MRI and CT scan for my newborn but not for my older son, who just had an EEG. I wasn't at the appointment for my teen (my husband took him), so I didn't get the chance to ask why no MRI was ordered for him. Anyone know when MRIs are usually ordered? I understand about my newborn because any brain defect would need to be caught as quickly as possible. But what about my teen? How do they know when an MRI is needed and when it is not?
 
They usually do MRIs and EEG's to diagnose Epilepsy. I dont recall how they diagnosed mine, I was 18 months at the time. I will have to ask my parents. But since then, I recall having alot of MRI's and EEG's in my lifetime. Have you asked the dr why they didnt do a MRI?
 
Thank you, Kristin. Unfortunately, I was not at the appointment to ask. The EEG was abnormal, leading the doctor to diagnose epilepsy. Based on the specific results of the EEG, my husband said the doctor said it was not necessary to do an MRI. So, I am just wondering which EEG results would lead to an MRI and which would not. Confusing, I know. I just want to make sure my son is getting the proper care.
 
Based off of the EEG results, the dr would have to see Epileptic Seizure activity in order to make a diagnoses of Epilepsy. Ive had MRI's done in the past that come back normal, but when I have a EEG done, they see Epileptic Spikes on it. I had a VEEG done last year and had the same results. Has your son been given any seizure medications?
 
The MRI is done at the neurologist's discretion to look for structural issues (scars, vascular issues, etc.) that may be causing seizures or seizure-like symptoms. EEGs can be trickier with infants, so it's possible that the doc ordered the MRI in the hopes of getting more information. With older kids and adults it may not be necessary if the EEG is pretty definitive, and if there don't seem to be any head trauma issues that need to be explored.
 
Thank you, Kristin and Nakamova.

Epileptic spikes were seen on the EEG, and my son has been taking Lamictal for the last seven weeks or so.

Thank you for explaining why MRIs are not always ordered.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom