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Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions.

Publication ,  Journal Article
VanLandingham, KE; Heinz, ER; Cavazos, JE; Lewis, DV
Published in: Ann Neurol
April 1998

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed after complex febrile convulsions (CFCs) in 27 infants. Definite MRI abnormalities were seen in 6 of the 15 infants with focal or lateralized CFCs and in none of the 12 infants with generalized CFCs. In 2 of the 6 infants with lateralized CFCs and abnormal MRIs, the MR images showed preexisting bilateral hippocampal atrophy consistent with the history of perinatal insults in these infants. However, the remaining 4 infants with MRI abnormalities and lateralized CFCs had significantly longer seizures than other infants and had MRI changes suggesting acute edema with increased hippocampal T2-weighted signal intensity and increased volume predominantly in the hippocampus in the hemisphere of seizure origin. Of those with acute edema, 1 had electrographical seizure activity recorded in the temporal region and another had a choroid fissure cyst displacing the affected hippocampus; both infants had follow-up MRIs showing that hippocampal atrophy had developed. These patients demonstrate that prolonged and focal CFCs can occasionally produce acute hippocampal injury that evolves to hippocampal atrophy. Finally, evidence of preexisting hippocampal abnormalities in several infants and electrographical temporal lobe seizure activity in 1 suggests the possibility that CFCs actually originated in the temporal lobes in some patients.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ann Neurol

DOI

ISSN

0364-5134

Publication Date

April 1998

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

413 / 426

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Seizures
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Hippocampus
  • Functional Laterality
  • Fever
  • Female
 

Citation

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VanLandingham, K. E., Heinz, E. R., Cavazos, J. E., & Lewis, D. V. (1998). Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions. Ann Neurol, 43(4), 413–426. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.410430403
VanLandingham, K. E., E. R. Heinz, J. E. Cavazos, and D. V. Lewis. “Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions.Ann Neurol 43, no. 4 (April 1998): 413–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.410430403.
VanLandingham KE, Heinz ER, Cavazos JE, Lewis DV. Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions. Ann Neurol. 1998 Apr;43(4):413–26.
VanLandingham, K. E., et al. “Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions.Ann Neurol, vol. 43, no. 4, Apr. 1998, pp. 413–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/ana.410430403.
VanLandingham KE, Heinz ER, Cavazos JE, Lewis DV. Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of hippocampal injury after prolonged focal febrile convulsions. Ann Neurol. 1998 Apr;43(4):413–426.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ann Neurol

DOI

ISSN

0364-5134

Publication Date

April 1998

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

413 / 426

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Seizures
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Hippocampus
  • Functional Laterality
  • Fever
  • Female