Value of hippocampus spectroscopy for diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy in children

Objective To explore the value of hippocampus hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectrum analyzes (1H-MRS) for the diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in children. Methods Singa HDe GE company to attain the 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging apparatus was used to analyze the conditions of 30 cases of children with TLE and the other 30 healthy controls received brain MRI and 1H-MRS check. The hippocampal N acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and the choline (Cho) concentration were observed; NAA/(Cho+ Cr), the ratio of NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho were analyzed. The analysis of biochemical components in the hippocampus was performed on the affec-ted sides and the healthy sides of TLE group and the sides of the healthy control group , respectively. Results Hippocampus were anormal by combining MRI and MRS in 28 cases.Levels of NAA/(Cho+ Cr), NAA/Cho, and NAA/Cr in the trouble sides of the TLE group had the remarkable statistical significance compared with the normal sides, and the healthy control group(all P 0.05). Nineteen cases had been confirmed by surgery, and postoperative pathological changes: brain surface were wavy, cortex were uneven; there were giant neurons, immature neurons, and scattered across the deformity of neurons in the cortex. A small amount of ectopic neurons can be seen in white matter. Conclusions In the TLE children, the reduction of NAA/(Cho+ Cr) value of the side hippocampus may help diagnose the hipppcampal sclerosis earlier, and can provide significant evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of TLE in children. Key words: Temporal lobe epilepsy; Hippocampus; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy