Magnetic Resonance Imaging Brain Findings Among Patients With Seizure Disorder In Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Seizure disorder is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, affecting approximately 50 million worldwide. About 100,000 new cases are reported in Nigeria each year. To comprehend the prevalence of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities and their correlation with seizures, local data is essential.

METHOD: A retrospective study design was adopted to review clinical data and MRI reports of 122 patients at a tertiary medical imaging facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State between January 2015 and January 2023. Demography, image findings, and the relationship between the MRI findings, age, and sex were data obtained and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the degree of significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: This study involved 64 females and 58 males, aged 0 to 89 years.  About 69 (57%) patients had normal brain MRI findings, while 53 (43%) were abnormal. The most common pathologies noted were cerebrovascular disorder 14 (11.48%), followed by white matter disease 13 (10.66%), and brain tumour 10 (8.20%). Age group 0-17 years had the highest number of pathological findings (20/53; 37%), followed by age group 36-53 years (11/53; 21%), and the age group 54-57 years (9/53; 17%). Age group spanning from 73 to 86 years, had the least of abnormal findings (4/53; 0.1%). No significant association existed between sex and MRI findings.

CONCLUSION:  Brain MRI findings were normal in majority of seizure patients; the most common findings were cerebrovascular abnormalities, white matter disease, and brain tumours respectively, which were more common in younger patients. The study emphasizes the significance of early MRI scans in identifying seizure-related brain pathologies, particularly in children and adolescents in their diagnostic workup of seizure disorder.