THE IMPORTANCE OF RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION METHODS IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF EPILEPSY

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders worldwide and is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures resulting from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Early diagnosis of epilepsy is essential for effective treatment, reduction of complications, and improvement of patients’ quality of life. Radiological examination methods play a critical role in identifying structural, metabolic, and functional abnormalities associated with epileptogenic brain regions. This article reviews the importance of modern radiological imaging techniques in the early diagnosis of epilepsy, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and functional neuroimaging methods. The article follows the IMRAD structure and discusses the diagnostic value, advantages, limitations, and recent developments of these modalities. MRI remains the gold standard for detecting structural lesions such as hippocampal sclerosis, cortical dysplasia, tumors, and vascular malformations, while CT is useful in emergency conditions and acute neurological situations. Functional imaging techniques, including PET and SPECT, provide valuable metabolic and perfusion information that assists in localizing epileptogenic foci, especially in MRI-negative epilepsy. Functional neuroimaging contributes significantly to presurgical evaluation and understanding seizure networks. Recent advances in radiology, including high-resolution MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and artificial intelligence-assisted neuroimaging, have further improved diagnostic sensitivity and clinical outcomes. Radiological imaging therefore represents an indispensable component of modern epilepsy diagnosis and management.